Kochi: The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is yet to start construction of the 2.6km long service road at Mulavukad along the Container Terminal Road (NH 966 A) despite giving written assurance to local residents to immediately take up the work. Irked by the long delay, the Mulavukad Janakiya Vikasana Samithi has threatened to re-launch agitation if the NHAI fails to start the construction activities within a week.
“If the NHAI fails to initiative tender proceedings for construction of the service road by next week, we’ll indulge in a hunger strike. Two months back, they had promised to float the tender in a month’s time but the same is yet to happen,” said Sahad M. F., convener of the Samiti. In a meet held on July 10 last and attended by the regional project director of the NHAI, representatives of the Mulavukad Janakiya Vikasana Samithi and police officials, it was decided that construction of the service road from Kattathukkadavu to Bolghatty would commence as soon as the NHAI headquarters sanction the project estimate and the work to be completed within a maximum period of one year.
The project director then gave assurance that the collection of toll at Ponnarimangalam Toll Plaza would be started only after construction of the service road commences. When contacted, a senior NHAI official said, “It’s not our fault. The project estimate is yet to be approved by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. It has asked for some clarification which we’ve duly submitted.” The Mulavukad panchayat too is unhappy with the continued delay of the infrastructure works.
“The NHAI is not taking the project on priority basis, leaving the residents to suffer. They have always taken an opposing stance instead of co-operating with us,” said Benny, vice-president, Mulavukad Grama Panchayat. Though the NHAI completed construction of the 17.2 km long road connecting Kalamassery and the International Container Transshipment Terminal in April 2015, Mulavukad residents strongly opposed its move to introduce toll demanding the agency construct a service road there first, otherwise the residents will get cut off from the mainland.
