Severely-congested NH 544 a nightmare for commuters

PEOPLE taking the NH 544 to travel between Mannuthy and Angamaly daily are having a harrowing time due to the severe traffic congestion caused by the construction of underpasses at five locations on the stretch.

- GOPIKA VARRIER @Thrissur

The work on the underpasses at Amballur, Chirangara, Karukutty, Mulangu and Koratty, which began this year, has considerably increased travel time. For instance, the journey from Thrissur to Ernakulam, a two-hour trip on weekdays, now takes more than three-and-a-half hours due to traffic blocks. Local residents are hit too, as going to even the nearest junction has become tedious.

"I stay in Ollur and have to take the bus to Puthukkad daily for work. While it took me 20-25 minutes, I now reach Puthukkad only after an hour owing to the congestion at Amballur. What is the point of the highway if it takes so much time to cover just 10 km?" asked Rekha, a resident.