The draft CMP estimated the peak hour per direction traffic (PHPDT) for the predominantly two-lane corridor at 15,100. However, it recommended a bus-based mobility corridor, similar to a Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS), for the North Paravur-Aroor stretch, where the width varies from two to six lanes, and put the PHPDT at 9,446.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is expected to complete the construction of a six-lane highway on the North Paravur-Edappally NH 66 stretch. Additionally, it is considering a 16-km-long, six-lane elevated highway on the Edappally-Aroor NH 66 stretch, which would result in a corridor with a width ranging between 10 and 12 lanes. The NHAI has reported that the daily traffic count on the Edappally-Aroor NH 66 stretch is one lakh passenger car units, making it one of the busiest NH corridors in Kerala.
Regarding the feasibility of constructing a metro viaduct over the elevated highway proposed by NHAI in the Aroor-Edappally corridor, sources from KMRL, the agency responsible for preparing the CMP for the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) and the Goshree Islands Development Authority (GIDA), indicated that the current PHPDT of 9,446 for the 35-km North Paravur-Aroor stretch needs to exceed 10,000 to justify a metro extension. They suggested instead implementing a BRTS for the stretch.
Traffic planners from the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) and other agencies had cautioned that traffic on the 35-km stretch would significantly increase once the highway is widened and the planned six-lane elevated highways in the 16-km Edappally-Aroor and 13-km Aroor-Thuravur corridors are completed.
The final draft of the updated CMP for the Greater Kochi area is anticipated to be completed in three months, incorporating feedback from people's representatives, residents" association representatives, and other stakeholders. KMRL has engaged UMTC as the consultant to prepare the CMP, which aims to outline strategies for short-, medium-, and long-term developments to enhance accessibility and mobility in the region. The future extensions of the Kochi metro are contingent on the CMP, which was initially published in 2017 and is now under revision.
