KOLLAM: The Kollam bypass connecting Kavanad and Mevaram is witnessing substantial vehicular traffic including that of heavy ones avoiding the busy Kollam city.
It has also caused long queues during peak hours in Kallumthazham, which is an intersection of bypass and Kollam - Thirumangalam National Highway 744. Similar is the case of Kadavoor where Kollam - Theni highway intersects the bypass.
The Kallumthazham Junction has thus turned a bottleneck in the bypass where a traffic signal regulates vehicles from either road. The signal causes long queues on both the bypass and the National Highway 66 causing inconvenience to motorists during office hours.
The public had raised the issue before its opening.
Work on an underpass at Kallumthazham and overbridges easing traffic congestion will commence along with the widening of the road to four lanes in February, according to sources.
In spots like Kallumthazham and Kadavoor, the works to construct underpass or flyover will be undertaken soon after conducting feasibility studies, a higher official with the PWD told DC.
Altharamoodu Junction and Mevaram along the bypass will have overbridges while Ayathil, Kallumthazham, and Kadavoor junctions will have underpasses.
The state has already submitted a report to the National Highway Authority pointing out the Mevaram - Kavanad bypass has sufficient land area on either side to develop it into a four-lane road in 45 meters. The survey works will commence shortly.
