Thiruvananthapuram: The airport road stretch between West Fort and Vettimuricha kotta is likely to stay narrow as various high level meetings could not come up with workable plans to widen the stretch. The Archaeological department also would not let the administration breach Fort walls to widen the road. The incoming traffic from Thakaraparambu and Vettimuricha kotta side converge in front of the Western entrance of Padmanbhaswamy temple.
There are huge traffic snarls between Vazhapally Ayyappa temple and Fort Government hospital by vehicles moving towards Vanchiyoor. “The plan was to have a seven metre wide carriageway with footpath. Between West Fort and Vettimuricha Kotta there are several encroachments by shops and auditoriums. There are some genuine owners too. They will have to be paid ponnum vila (fair value). However, the cost of acquisition could be very high considering real estate prices,” a revenue official said.
High level meetings including those by Chief Secretary have taken place in the last two years but plans have been shelved. “The Anakottil Street in front of SP Fort hospital is moderately wide but there is illegal parking. Also the road around Sreevaraham needs to be developed to better connect Thakaraparambu and West Fort,” he added.
