Call these alternatives?

KOCHI: While none dares challenge any initiative for infrastructure development in the city, like the move to reconstruct the north overbridge, what defies logic is the accompanying lack of foresight in installing supporting bases prior to a major change.Being the most important transit point into the city for traffic from the north-eastern side, work on the north overbridge deserved better planning. When such a major change in town planning is cleared, it is imperative that there exist ways and means to accommodate the volume of traffic currently passing through the specific route.Unfortunately, the alternatives for the public are laden with not just pot holes but impending  chaos. Going by the suggestions put forward by the Kochi City Police to the Corporation to manage the traffic along the Banerji Road, two points are likely to become glaring examples of official apathy - the Thammanam-Pullepady Road and the Pachalam Junction. While vehicles coming into the city will have to dodge potholes and queue up to get along the Thammanam-Pullepady Road, a large chunk of those going out of the city in the north-eastern direction, will have to bide their time at the Pachalam railway gate. While the Pullepady railway overbridge, sans proper approach roads, was realised last year after years in limbo, the Pachalam railway overbridge is still taped in red.The civic group of architects, engineers and representatives of residential associations had raised their voices against the plan to bring down the strategic north overbridge before improving the condition of roads and junctions proposed to be used for diverting traffic. “This is going to be the finest example of bad planning,” noted architect S Gopakumar, of Kumar Group Total Designers, told ‘City Express’.“The Kathrikkadavu Junction may not be able to accommodate the flow of vehicles once the diversion starts. Kathrikkadavu Junction needs to be re-planned. We had enough time to take steps to reduce the difficulties due to the demolition. But there were lapses on the part of both the Corporation and state government,” Gopakumar said. Ernakulam District Residents Associations Apex Council president P Rangadasa Prabhu echoed similar sentiments.“The traffic regulations proposed by the police is not at all practical,” Prabhu said.“There should have been better coordination between various departments, including the district administration and the Corporation. Before diverting traffic to Pachalam, the High Court-Chathyath Road should have been completed.” Pointing out the apathy of the government, Prabhu said, “Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had announced Rs 25 crore for the widening of the Pullepady-Thammanam Road earlier but it was not included in the budget.”