Flood fears rise with flyover plan at Puthukkad in Keralam

A scene from Puthukkad Junction, the proposed site for the flyover. | Photo Credit: K.K. Najeeb

The proposed Puthukkad flyover on National Highway (NH) 544 in Keralam’s Thrissur has triggered serious environmental and flood-related concerns, with residents warning that the proposed 1.38-km earth-filled approach could turn the highway into a massive barrier to the natural flow of rainwater and aggravate flooding in the low-lying town and adjacent panchayats.

The Puthukkad Melpalam Janakeeya Samithi has demanded that the proposed flyover and its approach roads be constructed on pillars, instead of raising a long stretch of the highway with earth.

Natural drainage

According to the project proposal, only about 70 metres at the Puthukkad Signal Junction would remain open at ground level, while nearly 1,380 metres would be built on an earth-filled embankment, points out the Samithi. It argues that such a structure could obstruct natural drainage between the low-lying areas on either side of the highway.

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