Traffic jam at Seaport-Airport Road near Kakkanad Cochin Special Economic Zone
Natpac had conducted a traffic study for the municipality in 2024 and found that the existing road network would not be sufficient to meet the area’s growing requirements.
B Anish Kini, principal scientist-in charge of Natpac’s Ernakulam regional office, said discussions are being held with the civic body regarding a fresh study. Site visits, stakeholder consultations, traffic counts and topographic surveys will be conducted to arrive at scientific solutions to the congestion,” he said. The municipality has decided to entrust National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (Natpac) with conducting a scientific study to bring in changes to the traffic system on a priority basis. The focus is on short-term interventions that do not require land acquisition, and the works can be completed in three months. The Collectorate signal junction and Kakkanad–Infopark stretch through Kuzhikaatumoola were identified as major bottlenecks. The study had recommended immediate junction and traffic-management measures along with road widening and new corridors.
“Once the municipality gives the nod to the study proposal, we will assess the new conditions and see whether any of the earlier proposals can be retained.