Flyover plan threatens Puthukkad drainage

A proposed one point three eight kilometre flyover on National Highway five hundred forty-four in Thrissur could block natural rainwater flow and worsen flooding in the low-lying town and adjacent panchayats.

Most of approach will be earth-filled

The project would leave only about seventy metres at Puthukkad Signal Junction open at ground level, while nearly one thousand three hundred eighty metres would be built on an earth-filled embankment, according to the proposal.

Residents demand pillar-supported structure

The Puthukkad Melpalam Janakeeya Samithi has demanded the flyover and approach roads be constructed on pillars instead of raising the highway with earth to preserve natural drainage.

Region has history of severe flooding

Puthukkad flooded during the two thousand eighteen and two thousand nineteen deluges and experienced waterlogging during heavy rain in subsequent years.

Samithi chair warns of water barrier

Seby Kodiyan, chairperson of the Samithi, said a long earth embankment could become a physical barrier to natural floodwater flow in this geographically sensitive area where water movement cannot be treated as secondary.

“A long earth embankment could become a physical barrier to the natural flow of floodwater.”

KSSP raises cumulative impact concerns

K. K. Aneesh Kumar of the Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad questioned how water from eastern hills would flow westward after being obstructed by Amballur and Puthukkad flyovers built close together.

Independent assessment demanded before design

The Samithi has demanded an independent hydrological and flood-impact assessment covering rainfall intensity, historical flooding, catchment characteristics and drainage channels before the project design is finalised.

Residents seek solution without new problems

Seby Kodiyan said residents are not opposed to the flyover itself but demand it be built in a manner that does not create a new environmental problem while solving a traffic problem.

“We are not opposed to the flyover. Our demand is that it should be built in a manner that does not create a new environmental problem while solving a traffic problem.”