No relief from traffic block on NH 544; commuters seek speedy intervention

Other than placing diversion boards on roads, no action taken to resolve traffic congestion

- GOPIKA VARRIER @Thrissur

AMID heavy rain lashing the state, the commuters travelling on the NH 544 are in angry mode, as they have to face intense traffic block due to incomplete service roads and drainage canals along the NH. Despite strict directions from the district collector, even to the extent of banning toll collection at Paliyekkara at some point, it seems the situation remains the same.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, severe traffic congestion on the Mannuthy-Angamaly stretch of NH 544 suffocated local commuters and long-distance travellers. People had to spend more than an hour in each location, where construction work of underpasses is going on. Presently, between Mannuthy and Angamaly, work of underpasses is progressing at Amballur, Muringoor, Perambra, Koratty and Karukutty. The work is also under way at Mulangu and Pattikkad.