Road and drainage restoration works being undertaken by Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) along the stretch between Palarivattom and Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) International Stadium metro station are progressing, with officials of both the Kochi Corporation and KMRL inspecting the site on a daily basis.

The laying of interlocking tiles has been completed over a short stretch in front of St. Martin’s Church at Palarivattom, while groundwork, including the spreading of metal and surface levelling, is under way. Progress, however, has been measured rather than brisk, owing to the presence of an underground Kerala Water Authority pipeline along the corridor. The potholed road has long been a major contributor to traffic snarls in the area.

On Friday, pipes were installed at two crossroad points to connect with the drainages, facilitating water flow. Slurry-clogged drains are also being cleaned, though muddy conditions persist in several sections cordoned off by barriers. “We have assigned two overseers to monitor the work, which will be reviewed on a daily basis,” said sources in the Corporation’s engineering wing.

Earlier, on Wednesday, the Kochi Corporation had issued KMRL a 10-day deadline to resolve the traffic gridlock and waterlogging caused by potholed roads and blocked drains along the stretch in front of St. Martin’s Church, where works on the second phase of the Kochi Metro from JLN stadium to Infopark are under way.

The police were directed to explore the possibility of allowing larger vehicles, such as buses from the Aluva side, to proceed directly instead of being diverted through the Palarivattom roundabout. The convergence of vehicles from Aluva, Kakkanad, and Thammanam at the roundabout has been identified as one of the primary reasons for traffic chaos.

“However, the police are yet to implement the arrangement, citing concerns that it may worsen congestion, and are waiting for the road widening work to reach St. Martin’s Church. Since the U-turn ahead of the church remains blocked allowing such a direct passage would ease the flow of vehicles,” said Mayor V.K. Minimol.