KRFB plans major overhaul of LMS-Vellayambalam Road

Thiruvananthapuram: To address chronic traffic congestion and improve road safety in the city, Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB) proposed a comprehensive modification of the busy LMS-Vellayambalam corridor.The proposed project aims to streamline vehicular movement at the heavily congested Vellayambalam Junction, where long queues and bottlenecks during peak hours have been a persistent concern for commuters. The plan includes widening the road, installing improved traffic signals and signage systems and deploying additional traffic personnel to manage flow more efficiently.To ensure a scientific and data-driven approach, KRFB roped in National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (Natpac) to conduct a detailed traffic and safety study. Natpac, a premier research institution specialising in traffic engineering and transportation planning, is expected to submit its report after an on-site assessment scheduled later this month.S Shaheem, principal scientist at NATPAC, said the study would focus on identifying critical pressure points and proposing practical interventions. "Our team will conduct a comprehensive inspection of LMS-Vellayambalam stretch this month. The report will analyse traffic volume, pedestrian movement, signal efficiency and safety concerns. Based on these findings, we will recommend suitable engineering and traffic management solutions," he said.Such studies typically examine multiple parameters, including traffic density, pedestrian crossings and accident patterns, to evolve effective solutions tailored to urban conditions, he added.Vellayambalam Junction is among the most traffic-intensive intersections in the city, with thousands of vehicles during peak hours. Past interventions, including installation of advanced signal systems like vehicle-actuated Wi-TraC, attempted to regulate flow, but congestion continues due to increasing vehicle numbers and changing traffic patterns.KRFB officials said the proposed modifications would be finalised only after incorporating Natpac's recommendations into a detailed project report (DPR). The DPR will outline technical specifications, cost estimates and implementation strategies before the project moves to the execution phase.Asok Kumar M, CEO of KRFB, told TOI that the initiative was still in its early stages. "We have sought a detailed study from Natpac, and the way forward will depend entirely on the findings and recommendations in their report," he said."Once the DPR is prepared and approved, we expect to move into the implementation phase. If everything proceeds as planned, work could begin by Sept," said sources close to KRFB.LMS-Vellayambalam corridor is being treated as a pilot intervention, sources said. "If the modifications prove successful in reducing congestion and improving safety, similar models will be replicated in other key roads under KRFB in the city," they added.LMS-Vellayambalam stretch is part of earlier city road improvement initiatives undertaken by KRFB, including Thiruvananthapuram City Road Improvement Project (CRIP), which focused on widening and modernising major urban corridors.