### Fast Summary
– The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] has warned the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) of blockading officials’ residences if traffic issues along NH 544 are not resolved by August 21.
– Severe congestion on the Ernakulam-Thrissur National Highway, particularly near underpass construction sites at Amballur, Perambra, Muringoor, and Chirangara, left vehicles stuck for hours; even ambulances were caught in gridlock.
– Police have diverted smaller vehicles through interior roads to ease congestion while heavy trucks continue to clog highways. A burst lorry tyre caused further delays.
– Motorists faced an 18-hour-long traffic jam on the same stretch just last Friday.
– The Supreme Court criticized NHAI and toll operators over poor highway conditions, questioning why tolls should be collected given the dire state of infrastructure.
– NH 66 also faces severe traffic issues with delayed movement on roads due to potholes, flooding, unfinished works, and accidents.
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### Indian Opinion Analysis
The ongoing traffic woes across major national highways like NH 544 and NH 66 demonstrate important lapses in infrastructure management.These bottlenecks cause widespread inconvenience for commuters while highlighting systemic issues such as delays in construction projects and negligence in road maintenance. CPI(M)’s ultimatum reflects growing public frustration with governance agencies failing to provide functional roads.
The Supreme Court’s chastisement is notable as it places accountability squarely on NHAI and toll operators who levy charges despite substandard conditions. Resolving these challenges will require urgent action both from authorities handling construction timelines and broader structural improvements in coordination among agencies responsible for maintenance. For India’s growing economy reliant on efficient logistics networks via road transport systems, these continued disruptions could have broader implications if left unaddressed.
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