Myopic approach behind present commuter woes

KOZHIKODE: The closure of Korapuzha bridge on NH 17 for repair works
has added to the woes of the daily commuters.

For they are now forced to use the parallel Atholi road, which is
finding it difficult to accommodate the heavy rush following diversion
of traffic from Pavangad junction of NH 17.

The bus journey between Kannur and Kozhikode has become a tiresome
exercise and the situation will continue for at least another two
weeks. Buses plying between Kozhikode and Koyilandy, and commuters
residing between Korapuzha and Koyilandy are also on the receiving
end.

General secretary of Kozhikode District Bus Operators Association
E.Asokan said buses towards Kannur and Vatakara have to run at least
10 kilometres more to reach Koyilandy via Atholi.

"Besides, the move has hit the Koyilandy buses, which were asked to
operate from either side of Korapuzha. Since no schedule has been
alloted in the changed circumstance, the buses are finding it
difficult to get passengers. And often this leads to skirmish between
employees of these buses during peak hours," he said.

"The PWD should have taken up the repair works on this 66-year-old
bridge after completing the work of approach road connecting
Kuniyilkadavu bridge, which can be considered a better parallel road
than the Atholi route," said Asokan.

He said the narrow Atholi road is always a threat to vehicular
traffic. "With buses and lorries towards Kannur taking this route, it
has turned out to be an accident spot. A small accident can bring the
traffic through this route to a standstill," he said.

Executive Engineer of PWD (NH) A.R.Narayanan told this website's
newspaper that if the department extends the repair works further, it
will affect the students adversely during examination season.

"We have already started concrete work and it will take at least three
days to complete the concrete works. But, the department needs two
week time to complete the Rs.15 lakh project, which is being
undertaken by Uralungall Labour Contract Cooperative Society,
Vatakara," he said.

On the need for constructing a two-lane bridge across Korapuzha,
Narayanan said that once the Vengalam-Ramanattukara bypass is
completed and opened for vehicular traffic, a major chunk of
long-distant vehicles will prefer the new route, which will not touch
the Kozhikode city.

"However, the department is thinking of constructing a double-lane
bridge and will take necessary action in this regard," he said.