The Thirumuppam-Arattukadavu road in Ernakulam district is facing persistent traffic congestion after becoming an alternative route to National Highway 66, with the narrow road now carrying hundreds of vehicles, including container lorries.
The road connects the Kottuvally-North Paravur public works route with NH 66 through the Arattukadavu bridge. According to a report by Mathrubhumi, several stretches of the road are barely wide enough for a bus to pass. The route was previously a largely rural road, but traffic increased after the bridge connecting the Kottuvally and Varapuzha banks was constructed.
Once the bridge opened, vehicles from Ezhikkara, Paravur, Kaitharam and Kottuvally gained easier access to NH 66 through the road. The Kottuvally-North Paravur public works road subsequently began functioning as a parallel route to the national highway, placing additional pressure on the Thirumuppam-Arattukadavu section.
Traffic reportedly increased tenfold after construction work began on NH 66. Many motorists now use the bridge and connecting road to avoid recurring congestion on the national highway. Vehicles are also diverted through the route when accidents or severe traffic blocks occur on NH 66.
These diversions have created prolonged delays on the narrower road. Traffic can remain held up for hours before vehicles are able to pass, particularly when large vehicles enter the route. Container lorries and other heavy vehicles are using the road despite its limited width and several bends and turns.
The road’s geometry adds to the problem. Large vehicles have difficulty negotiating the curves and turning around at constrained points, leading to further blockages. The report identifies widening the Thirumuppam-Arattukadavu road and straightening its curves as necessary measures to reduce the existing congestion.
The situation illustrates how a local bridge connection can quickly change traffic patterns beyond the immediate crossing. A road built for rural-level movement is now being used as a feeder and diversion route for a national highway, while the available report does not indicate that capacity upgrades have kept pace with the increased traffic. The immediate infrastructure requirement identified in the report is the widening and realignment of the road.
