Kochi Metro Rail Ltd drops plans to block u-turns along MG Rd
Plans to construct medians would have forced KSRTC to divert buses
Kochi: The plan to restrict u-turn points along the MG Road by constructing medians at key intersections was dropped following objection from various quarters including the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC). Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) had entrusted a contractor to construct medians at Rajaji Road entry and Kacheripaddy to restrict the ‘cuttings’ after the main metro construction activities at the stretch till Maharajas College ground got over.
"Initially, a decision was taken based on the direction from the Kochi City Traffic Police to restrict vehicles from taking u-turns and entry to opposite side by-lanes, citing that the traffic movement would be slowed down. However, the plan is now dropped with Mayor Soumini Jain asking not to go for the medians at vital points," a senior metro official said.
The decision to construct medians had forced KSRTC buses to miss city areas completely. Besides revenue loss, diverting the bus routes had put commuters travelling to the city from other parts of the district in difficulty. The KSRTC had written to the KMRL and the Traffic Police to stop construction of the median at Rajaji Road as it would prevent buses from entering the Ernakulam bus stand from MG Road.