Kochi: As the Maharaja's-Thykoodam Metro stretch is opened for commercial service, vehicles parked illegally along both sides of the Vyttila-Pettah road near Thykoodam station is causing heavy traffic congestion. Since the station has very small parking space, two-wheelers and cars are being parked along the road.
There are no Kochi Metro security personnel or cops to manage traffic in front of the Metro station.
"Thykoodam lacks facilities of a terminal station and unauthorised parking along the busy Tripunithura - Vyttila Road the station is creating traffic chaos. Metro works progressing along the Thykoodam - Petta line and closure of old Chambakkara Bridge already affected smooth traffic movement along the stretch. And the unauthorised roadside parking at Thykoodam worsened the situation," said V.P. Chandran, Corporation division councillor.
The councillor will submit a letter to Kochi Metro Rail Limited seeking immediate measures to resolve the issue. "If the KMRL is not having plans to set up big parking lot, temporary arrangements have to be made until the Petta stretch is completed. The Metro agency can take land from private individuals to provide pay and park facility," added Mr Chandran.
Several passengers from eastern parts of the district like Muvattupuzha, Puthencruz, Thiruvankulam, Piravom, Mulanthuruthy and Poothotta to Kochi have migrated to Metro.
Meanwhile, sources at KMRL said that the Metro agency can take steps to regularise parking only after September 25.
"Parking is free for vehicles in all Metro stations till September 25 as part of opening of Thykoodam line. Management of parking lots in new stations from Maharajas to Thykoodam will be entrusted with private agencies or Kudumbasree Mission through tendering," sources said.
