Thiruvananthapuram authorities have announced comprehensive traffic restrictions in the city during the upcoming Onam pageantry and the visit of Vice‑President C P Radhakrishnan, with controls coming into effect from Sunday afternoon and some routes seeing prolonged curbs through Monday.
Procession route, timing and core restrictions
The cultural procession to mark Onam is scheduled for August 30, starting from Kowdiar and terminating at East Fort. The Vice‑President will arrive to flag off the procession on Sunday and is due to depart on Monday, prompting additional security and traffic measures on the arrival and departure corridors.
Officials said vehicular restrictions will be imposed on the Kowdiar–East Fort–Vettimuricha Kotta–West Nada–Vazhapally–Mithranandapuram–Eanchakkal stretch and along other major arterial roads from 2 pm on Sunday. Restrictions will also cover the route between the Domestic Airport and key city points — including Shanghumugham, Chakkai, Asan Square and the Lok Bhavan side — during the Vice‑President's movements.
Designated detours and advised routes
Traffic police have issued detailed diversion plans for heavy and light vehicles approaching the Thampanoor/East Fort area and for vehicles using the national highway and other arterial approaches. Motorists are urged to follow the prescribed alternative routes to avoid congestion and to facilitate security arrangements.
- Heavy vehicles destined for Thampanoor/East Fort via MC Road should detour at Mannanthala and proceed via Kudappanakunnu–Peroorkada–Pippinmoodu–Sasthamangalam–Edapazhanji–SMC–Vazhuthacaud–Thycaud.
- Light vehicles are advised to use Paruthippara–Muttada–Ambalamukku–Oolampara–Sasthamangalam–Edapazhanji–Vazhuthacaud.
- Vehicles from the NH should travel via Kazhakootam flyover–Mukkolakkal–Kuzhivila–Chakkai flyover–Eachakkal–Subhash Nagar–Attakkulangara.
- Traffic from Pattom to Thampanoor/East Fort should move via Pattom–Marappalam–Kowdiar–Golf Links Road–Pippinmoodu–Sasthamangalam–Edapazhanji–SMC–Thycaud.
- Traffic from Peroorkada to Thampanoor/East Fort should proceed via Peroorkada–Pippinmoodu–Sasthamangalam–Edapazhanji–Jagathi–Mettukada.
- Vehicles from Pettah should use Pattoor–Vanchiyoor–Uppilamoodu–Thakaraparamb flyover–Killipalam to reach Thampanoor/East Fort.
- Traffic from Thiruvallam to Thampanoor is to move via Attakulangara–Killipalam.
- Vehicles moving from East Fort to Chakkai should use Attakulangara–Eanchakkal–Chakkai; those going to Thampanoor, Karamana and Pappanamcode should proceed via Attakulangara–Killipalam.
"Traffic restriction will be imposed on the Kowdiar‑East Fort‑Vettimuricha Kotta‑West Nada‑Vazhapally‑Mithranandapuram‑Eanchakkal stretch and along other major arterial roads from Sunday 2 pm onwards," the advisory said.
Who will be affected and practical advice
The restrictions will affect commuters, public transport services, commercial deliveries and emergency‑response movement along the designated corridors. Motorists using the city centre, the NH approaches and routes to the airport during the Vice‑President's arrival and departure should allow additional travel time and follow traffic police directions.
| Vehicle type | Primary detour |
|---|---|
| Heavy vehicles (to Thampanoor/East Fort) | Mannanthala → Kudappanakunnu → Peroorkada → Pippinmoodu → Sasthamangalam → Edapazhanji → SMC → Vazhuthacaud → Thycaud |
| Light vehicles | Paruthippara → Muttada → Ambalamukku → Oolampara → Sasthamangalam → Edapazhanji → Vazhuthacaud |
| NH‑originating traffic | Kazhakootam flyover → Mukkolakkal → Kuzhivila → Chakkai flyover → Eachakkal → Subhash Nagar → Attakkulangara |
Authorities did not publish changes to public‑bus schedules in the advisory; commuters are advised to check updates from the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation and local traffic control units. Residents attending Onam events along the procession route should plan for pedestrian controls and temporary road closures.
As with any large public event, the onus is on motorists to exercise patience and comply with directions from police and civic staff. The clear, route‑wise guidance issued by traffic authorities aims to keep essential movement flowing while ensuring the procession and official movements proceed without disruption.
