Vehicles crawl through Aluva on Thursday as repairs on the Marthanda Varma Old Bridge choke traffic
Kochi : Traffic snarls on the national highway stretch in Aluva worsened during morning and evening peak hours on Thursday, the second day of repairs on the 86-year-old Marthanda Varma Old Bridge. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kochi | Silver Rate in Kochi | Bank Holidays in Kochi | Public Holidays in Kochi Stay updated with the latest Kochi news.
Aluva municipality chairperson Saiji Jolly said congestion was heavy on the highway during peak hours but lighter in Aluva town, and that a review meeting with the superintendent of police had been called for Friday afternoon. Police said the situation eased as heavy vehicles were diverted, and they regulated the new bridge by allowing traffic in one direction at a time during peak hours. Shop owner Seby Bastin said the diversion orders had not been effectively enforced, and reaching Aluva by private vehicle now took at least an extra hour.
Vehicles in both directions are being routed over the parallel new bridge. Heavy vehicles diverted off the highway clogged secondary roads, causing major congestion on the Aluva–Munnar road at Thottumugham and at Chowwara, Kadungalloor and Pathalam. Repairs have also begun on the nearby Desom bridge, where only single-lane traffic is allowed, adding to the delays. Workers are installing new expansion joints between the spans, welded into place and secured with concrete that takes three days to set. The work, the first maintenance in the bridge’s history, was fast-tracked after IIT Madras recommended urgent repairs. Download the TOI App.
NHAI officials hope to reopen the bridge on Monday; Desom Bridge repairs should finish by Tuesday.