Traffic Snarl Hits NH Stretch Between Mudikkode and Peechi

Rapid Summary

• A traffic jam on the National Highway stretch between Mudikkode and Peechi brought vehicular movement to a standstill for hours on Saturday morning.
• The congestion affected both the service road and the main carriageway.
• Local residents attributed the gridlock to the collapse of the Mudikkode service road, with complaints of tar-topping peeling off due to heavy traffic and rainfall, demanding urgent action from authorities.
• KPCC Secretary Shaji Kodankandath submitted a petition to Thrissur’s Collector, pointing out lapses by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and contractors in road planning and maintenance.
• Allegations suggest unscientific strengthening of service roads, lack of effective drainage solutions, damage caused by traffic diversions, poor quality repairs, and health hazards due to ongoing construction issues.
• Mr. Kodankandath recommended recovering repair costs for damaged roads from NHAI or contractors.

Image:
!Traffic jam at Mudikkode

Indian Opinion Analysis

The recurring issue reflects broader infrastructure challenges facing parts of India’s national highway system. Service roads collapsing under heavy usage highlight weaknesses in planning tailored for local conditions such as monsoons or high vehicle density. Residents’ criticisms about deteriorating quality shortly after tarring signal inefficiencies in monitoring contractor compliance with building standards.

This situation raises concerns about accountability among agencies like NHAI-especially when diversion routes suffer collateral damage without proper mitigation strategies. Calls for scientific reinforcement solutions echo a need for long-term investments rather than patchwork fixes to safeguard public health and sustainable transport advancement.

The petition underscores rising public frustration over delays linked with large-scale projects like underpasses-a reminder that balancing timelines with robust planning is vital when addressing evolving urban mobility demands in Kerala’s rapidly growing regions.

Read more: August 30, 2025