Aluva Market Road closed without warning; commuters, traders stranded

Kochi: Sudden closure of Market Road, one of the busiest arterial stretches in Aluva town, triggered widespread chaos and public outrage. The road was blocked for reconstruction of a major drainage canal without any prior notification, leaving daily commuters, bus passengers and local traders in limbo.The impact was felt most acutely at Aluva private bus stand and Bank Junction. Hundreds of passengers who waited for hours found themselves ‘cheated' as buses were diverted through NH bypass. The unannounced closure led to massive traffic snarls across the town's bypass and service roads. Long queues of vehicles were seen crawling through the narrow alternative routes. Major bus services, including KSRTC and private buses heading toward Paravur, Angamaly, Chalakkudy and Thrissur, and local services to Kadungallur and Varapuzha are currently being diverted from Karothukuzhi Junction via Link Road to reach the bypass. While most buses bypassed the town centre entirely, a few Kadungallur-bound buses entered the private bus stand but were forced to double back, further complicating the traffic flow. Both commuters and local business owners expressed strong resentment toward the authorities. Traders noted a significant drop in footfall, while pedestrians, unaware of the closure, continued to walk toward the construction site from Bank Junction, only to be forced to turn back. "There was absolutely no notice. We stood at the stand for over an hour before realising the buses were taking a different route blocks away," said John Philip, a commuter who arrived at Aluva private bus stand to travel to Perumbavoor. Construction, though, is a key infrastructure project. Workers are currently rebuilding a large cross-drainage canal located directly in front of the private bus stand. "The project aims to address the severe waterlogging issues on Kunnappuram Road during monsoon. The drainage canal is also necessary to ensure that rainwater from the surrounding areas flows smoothly through the internal drainage system of the bus stand and out of the town centre," a PWD official said. "The authorities abruptly started the work on Tuesday night, enforcing the diversion. While the project is essential to prevent flooding, the lack of coordination between public works department and traffic police turned a necessary upgrade into a logistical nightmare for the residents. Authorities should provide clear signage and alternative schedules until the work is completed," said Seby Bastian, former councillor.