The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which owns, maintains and collects toll from motorists using the 16-km Edappally-Aroor NH Bypass, has expressed shock at the shoddy condition of the stretch and service roads in the vicinity of flyover construction sites at Vyttila and Kundannoor.

We issued no-objection certificates in 2017 to the Public Works Department (NH Wing) for the construction of the flyovers on condition that the department would maintain the NH Bypass, service roads, and traffic diversion roads in safe and motorable state, NHAI sources said. “Based on feedback from our patrol team and other ground-level officials on the deteriorating condition of roads and subsequent traffic snarls, we have been writing to the PWD, reminding it of its assurance that all roads in the vicinity would be kept in good condition.

“But little has happened, ever since the PWD began constructing the Vyttila flyover in December 2017 and the one at Kundannoor in March 2018. Never did we expect that the department would create such a mess of the two junctions which are used by over 1 lakh passenger car units (PCUs) every day,” they added.

The issue was repeatedly raised at meetings convened here by the District Collector too, but to little avail.

PWD jurisdiction

Meanwhile, a PWD official said that the department was in charge of only 700-metre-long stretches at the two junctions.

“The NHAI must restore potholed and undulated reaches beyond this limit. We are taking measures to restore either side of the flyover sites,” he added.

NHAI officials reiterated that the PWD’s contention was contrary to facts.

“The department must restore all roads in the vicinity of the ‘construction zone area’ as was mutually agreed upon. Their officials must be held responsible for the shoddy state of affairs, especially on the bypass, service roads, and underpasses at the two busy junctions,” they said.