Thrissur: Commuters on the Mannuthy–Edappally stretch of the National Highway are facing severe traffic congestion. The jam, which began at 11 pm on Friday, remains unresolved, stretching as far as Muringoor.

Traffic on the Mannuthy–Edappally road has now entered its 12th hour, leaving commuters in dire straits. Long-distance goods vehicles are also stuck, and heavy rain is worsening the situation. There are extensive queues of vehicles, with drivers reporting fuel shortages. Those travelling to the airport, hospitals or funerals are particularly affected.

On Friday night, a lorry carrying timber fell into a pit on the service road at Muringoor, where an underpass is under construction. Traffic was disrupted from 8 pm Friday until Saturday morning, as debris littered the road. Police, fire services, and local residents worked to clear the timber.

The occupants of the overturned lorry, travelling from Pattambi to Perumbavoor, were unharmed. Large potholes have formed on the service road due to heavy vehicles, and a lorry overturned in an area frequently used by pedestrians. Fortunately, no one was present at the time of the accident. Although traffic was briefly restored, congestion quickly worsened again.

The situation has deteriorated on the Chalakkudy–Ernakulam route, compounded by poor road conditions and limited alternative routes near the underpass construction site. While work on the flyover and underpass progresses, people are forced to use service roads, many of which are riddled with potholes, further contributing to the congestion.

Authorities said the traffic woes are exacerbated by inadequate infrastructure around the construction area. Traffic was especially heavy on Sunday along the Chalakkudy–Ernakulam road.