Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to start key bridge work on collector's promise

Kochi: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has decided to start the construction of the two-lane road over bridge at Chambakkara in Vytilla-Petta section from December 15 following an assurance given by the district collector. The agency was forced to drop its earlier attempt due to land acquisition issues. Earlier in mid 2016, the DMRC had doled out the work to a sub-contractor. However, the failure to acquire land, especially that with regard to the Chambakkara fish market, by the authorities forced it to cancel the project.

"The new contractor, Matha Constructions Ltd, will start actual construction of the RoB at Chambakkara, parallel to the existing one, from December 15. The district collector had assured to complete the LA (land acquisition) process there. The earlier contractor had requested to discharge them off the responsibility due to the risk of idling of men and machines," said a DMRC official. The agency has already kick-started the preliminary works that include trimming of tress and shifting of utilities such as high tension wire.

The DMRC has set an internal target of March 31, 2019, to complete the metro construction works till Thykoodam and 2020 end that till Tripunithura. "Construction works along the crucial stretch beyond Vyttila have gained momentum. Barricades have been erected and piling started before the KSEB substation office. Construction of Thykoodam station has also started. We are concerned of the delay in acquiring land in the Chambakkara-Pettah-Tripunithura corridor," the official said.