The Residents of Tripunithura have renewed their demand for the extension of the Seaport-Airport Road up to Puthiyakavu, stating that the move would significantly reduce traffic congestion and improve connectivity in the eastern parts of the Kochi metropolitan region.
At present, the Seaport-Airport Road, a major arterial corridor linking Cochin Port and Cochin International Airport terminates at Karingachira. The abrupt end of the four-lane stretch results in severe congestion, particularly during peak hours, as traffic merges into narrower two-lane roads. Commuters travelling to and from Tripunithura, Thiruvankulam and nearby areas frequently face long delays due to these bottlenecks.
Local residents’ associations have urged authorities to extend the road through available land parcels toward Puthiyakavu and connect it with the proposed Karayamparambu-Nettoor National Highway bypass. According to them, such an extension would create a seamless east-west corridor, divert through-traffic away from town centres and ease pressure on internal roads.
Residents have also pointed out that widening works on the Karingachira-Thiruvankulam stretch, part of National Highway 85, have been delayed due to legal and procedural hurdles, further worsening congestion. In addition, they have called for improvements to other key connecting roads in the region, including the Kaniyampuzha Road linking Vyttila and Irumpanam, which continues to remain narrow despite earlier proposals for expansion.
While the second phase of the Seaport-Airport Road, extending the corridor toward the airport from Kalamassery, has made progress after earlier land acquisition delays, the proposed extension on the Tripunithura side has yet to move forward.
Residents believe that completing the extension and integrating it with planned highway corridors would not only address long-standing traffic concerns but also enhance access to industrial zones, employment centres and surrounding towns, thereby supporting broader regional development.