Call to halt work on NH in Munnar for 10 days ahead of Onam holiday rush

With the festive Onam holidays coinciding with the highly anticipated Neelakurinji blooming season, local residents and tourism stakeholders in Munnar are raising alarms over potential traffic gridlocks. There is a growing and urgent demand to temporarily suspend all widening works along the Kochi-Madurai National Highway for at least 10 days to accommodate the massive influx of visitors expected in the coming weeks.

Currently, extensive road expansion works are underway on the critical stretch between Second Mile and Old Munnar. The most severe bottleneck has formed between Mulakkada and the Bypass Bridge—traditionally one of the busiest and narrowest sections of the route. Because of the ongoing construction, vehicles are being filtered through a single lane, causing frustrating tailbacks and bumper-to-bumper traffic that have plagued commuters for over a week.

As the Onam holiday season begins, travel experts predict a sharp surge in tourist vehicles heading up to the popular hill station. If the heavy machinery and single-lane restrictions remain active in the Old Munnar area, it could lead to absolute paralysis of the local road network. Local associations are urging the National Highways Authority and district administration to act swiftly, warning that failure to pause the roadworks for these crucial 10 days will severely impact both tourists and the local economy.