KOCHI: After months of deliberations, the dismantling of the North rail overbridge (RoB) finally took off. But the clouds of perilous traffic snarls are still looming large over the city. People are still apprehensive about the major changes being made in city traffic. The commuters seem to be confused and were seen constantly seeking help from the traffic police as they were not aware of the diversion. The ambiguous stand taken by the authorities of various departments involved in the RoB demolition has also added to the chaos. Town Planning Standing Committee chairman K J Sohan said that no proper plan regarding the project was presented before the Town Planning Committee. “They have thrown every legal procedures to the wind,” he said.According to Assistant Commissioner (Traffic) V M Muhammed Rafique, the work was going on smoothly and there was no reason to panic. “We have successfully completed the traffic trial run and that too with the two wings of the main bridge closed. Currently, only one side bay is being dismantled. The other is still open. So there is no chance of confusion,” he said. Contrary to the statement, the policemen who were monitoring the work, were of the opinion that the city would witness more traffic snarls in the days to come. “The traffic is less on Sunday. The city will experience heavy traffic congestion from Monday onwards,” said a police officer, who was monitoring the work site.North SI S Vijaya Sankar said: “It is a fact that there would be traffic congestion with the demolition of the bridge. But this is the only option left behind.” The traffic police admitted that they have a tough task ahead in managing the heavy traffic.The apprehensions are mounting among the people as the major diversions which include the Thammanam Pullepady Road and Pachalam Road are also not in good shape. “Traffic congestion is heavy on the Pullepady bridge and on Pachalam Road, the railway gates are a major impediment. These roads will not be of much help in emergency situations,” said Sajeev, another vendor, who runs a shop near the bridge.Kasim, another vendor, said that he has to travel a long way to reach his shop. “I am coming from Karukapilly. So I have to park my vehicle near the Lisie Hospital and walk to my shop. Or else, I would have to take a deviation through the Pulleppady bridge which is already congested. They also pointed out that most of the bridges had taken more than seven years for completion, which is a major cause of concern in the case of the reconstruction of the North RoB also.
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