Kundannoor Jn development set to be a reality

Kochi: The long-awaited development of Kundannoor Junction, one of Kochi's most notorious traffic bottlenecks, is set to be a reality soon. District collector has submitted a rehabilitation package for displaced residents and businesses for consideration of state govt as part of the project.While Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala (RBDCK) will initiate a Rs 10.53-crore project to develop Kundannoor Junction and service roads, Maradu municipality is planning to set up a slew of infrastructure facilities that include a Take-A-Break centre (modern, hygienic public rest areas and restrooms), an open stage and an entrance arch at the road leading to municipality building from the junction."We have identified sites for infrastructure facilities along Kochi Refinery Ltd Road that starts from Kundannoor Junction. We will begin survey to assess actual land requirement and further processes from May 6, after model code of conduct ends," said Maradu municipality chairperson Ajitha Nandakumar. "Administrative green light clears final hurdle for Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board to begin land acquisition process. A total of 16.24 ares, mainly private land from four corners of the junction, need to be acquired. We expect the process to begin next month," said an official of RBDCK.Two buildings (towards Maradu side) will also need to be demolished. While 11(1) notification for land acquisition (LA) was issued a year ago, compensation is finally being provided, a major step for LA process.For years, the junction has witnessed heavy traffic congestion. Main reason was narrow service roads and lack of enough space for vehicles from Vyttila direction to turn and further proceed towards Maradu.With increasing volume of cargo traffic from port and rapid urbanization of Maradu and Tripunithura suburbs, the junction had reached a breaking point. Despite construction of a flyover in 2020, it continued to experience a traffic gridlock, especially during morning and evening peak hours. The planned development aims to widen service roads and streamline entry and exit points that currently cause traffic jams.