KOCHI: The long drawn Vyttila flyover project has got an impetus with the budgetary allocation made by Finance Minister Dr. T.M Thomas Isaac in the annual budget for 2017 – 18. Rs 113 crore has been allocated for Vyttila flyover which is expected to revive the project that has been put on hold for long. The flyover proposal was put on the backburner following the dispute between the National Highways Authority of India and the State Public Works Department. Budget allocation has also been made for the Kochi Metro Rail project and the German bank-funded Integrated Water Transport project for Kochi (Water Metro). A total amount of Rs 1,552 crore has been earmarked for various mega projects in the state including the Kochi Metro and Water Metro.
“The state budget has made a total allocation of Rs 224 crore for Thrikkakara constituency for various projects including the Vyttila flyover, construction of smart classes at Edappally and Vennala government schools and renovation of Media Academy,” said P.T. Thomas, MLA. Meanwhile, Mr. Thomas alleged that the delay in handing over the road to PWD by Thrikkakara municipality had delayed the development of Thammanam – Pullepady Road development. “Though a letter was given to the municipal authorities six months ago, they failed to pass a resolution,” he added.
The two major projects related to Kochi city which are not mentioned in the budget are the Atlantis rail overbridge and Vaduthala overbridge. However, Hibi Eden MLA said that '50 crore had already been sanctioned for the Vaduthala overbridge project in the last budget and the DPR had been submitted by the RBDCK and uploaded on the website as well. “Now the project has to be implemented by using the funds,” he added. On Atlantis overbridge he said that the Kochi Corporation had to submit the DPR and reminded Kochi Mayor Soumini Jain and the Deputy Mayor T.J. Vinod about it. Both of them were unavailable for comments.
