Kochi: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday lashed out at the previous UDF government for taking up the Vyttila flyover construction, originally the responsibility of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). "By doing so, the then UDF government led by Oommen Chandy forced the cash-strapped state government to fund the entire project. They should have rather asked the NHAI to construct the flyover along the National Highway, which falls under its jurisdiction," Mr Vijayan said, while launching the flyover construction work at Vytilla on Monday.
Upon coming to power, the LDF government took up the issue with the NHAI which, however, replied that it had already handed over the No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the state and hence cannot take up the project. "This caused our exchequer nearly Rs 113 crore which should have been allotted to some other project. However, since it's vital to de-congest traffic, we decided to implement the project ourselves finally," he said, adding that the current government would not take up any project that should be implemented by any central agencies.
However, the chief minister asserted the flyover design was prepared in consultation with the NHAI. PWD Minister G Sudhakaran said the state government is focused on development of roads and bridges and currently the construction works with regard to 14 projects are progressing. "The KIIFB has approved another 20 projects for which funds to the tune of Rs 1000 crore is required," he said. Meanwhile the PWD minister said the government plans to utilise modern technology in road construction. "For instance, a research is on how to construct good quality roads during rainy season. We've also utilised German technology for road construction at Pathirapilly (Alappuzha) for speedy, noiseless, high quality road construction," the minister said. However, he lamented that the contractors in the state are still deploying outdated machines and refuse to invest in latest technology machinery.
Vyttila flyover work starts
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday launched work of the crucial Rs 78 crore Vyttila flyover, the construction of which is scheduled to be completed in 18 months in the state’s busiest junction. Two separate three-lane flyovers will be constructed in the Aroor-Edapally direction along the NH-66. The length of the bridge and approach road together is 717 meters towards the Thiruvananthapuram side while that towards the Aluva side is 702.41 meters.
The project work also includes setting up of two slip roads — the 320-meter long for easy access to the Mobility Hub and the 375-meter one to Aluva side —, setting up of street light all along the two service roads and canal construction.
“The flyover plan is designed such as to facilitate construction of metro viaduct towards Pettah side from Sahodaran Ayyapan Road with a clearance of six meters height,” said PWD minister G. Sudhakaran. According to PWD sources, a 12-meter barricade will be erected at the centre (towards Aluva side) and only two lane traffic will be allowed through the junction in the coming days to facilitate construction works at the centre. Meanwhile, referring to charges that the flyover fails to provide a complete solution to traffic congestion at the junction, the minister said a scientific study has been ordered for solutions to decongest the junction.
“This will cover the feasibility of constructing a vehicular underpass linking the Sahodaran Ayyapan Road (Ernakulam city) with the one towards Tripunithura. Also we plan for the junction redevelopment taking in more areas after taking the traders there into confidence," he said. Though the government set aside a fund of Rs 113 crore, the contract was awarded out to Sreedhanya Construction Co which quoted the lowest bid — Rs 78.36 crore.
