Thiruvananthapuram Road Development Corporation Ltd to finish roads by Onam

Thiruvananthapuram: Thiruvananthapuram Road Development Corporation Ltd (TRDCL), a special purpose vehicle (SPV) floated for developing 42 kilometres of city roads, will finally conclude its construction work by Onam putting an end to the Capital Road Improvement Project. Presently, the agency is completing the road under Thakaraparambu flyover and is developing the Vanchiyoor junction and conducting minor works.

The roads in the city, which were made four lane and six lane by the concessionaire during the past nine years will be maintained for 15 years by them. “The newer works such as flyovers that come on these 12 corridors may or may not be awarded to the company during this 15-year- span. New constructions here may relieve TRDCL of the responsibility to maintain that stretch,” sources said.

Some of the works that were part of the original DPR in these stretches could not be completed as the government failed to acquire land as expected. The SPV has largely been cost effective in constructing newer roads. Construction of flyovers, underpass and conversion of roads into two lanes and three lanes could be completed at the cost of Rs 10 crore per Kilometre. It is pertinent to note that the construction of Karamana-Kaliyikkavila highway cost 25 crore per kilometre.

The CRIP involved geometric improvement of 63 junctions such as Flyovers at Bakery junction and Melepazhavangadi and Underpass at Palayam junction. The CRIP led to creation of two metrewide continuous footpath in these areas, signalised zebra crossings and other facilities. Road signs, markings and solar-based traffic signals, provision of storm water drains, new streetlights and 94 bus bays were completed since the agency was awarded the contract in 2007.