Kochi: Even as the state government wants to complete two vital flyovers along the NH-47 bypass section here on a war-footing, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has so far taken up the case of Vytilla alone. “We’ve sent a request to our headquarters at Delhi and the process of obtaining sanction from the Union Surface Transport ministry is on with regard to the Vytilla flyover. However, the administrative works with regard to the Kundanoor flyover is yet to be taken up,” a senior NHAI official said.
The government on October 4 had entrusted the NHAI with construction of the two flyovers as part of measures to decongest the stretch. “Since Vytilla has been classified as ‘black spot area’ and it’s the busiest junction in the state, we’ve taken up the project there first. However, a change of head at the regional office has delayed the process with regard to Kundanoor,” the official said.
When contacted, state Public Works Minister G Sudhakaran however said the NHAI Chief Engineer had informed him the Kundanoor flyover proposal too has been sent for the union Ministry’s sanction. “I’ve asked the PWD Secretary to send another communication to the Surface Transport Ministry seeking sanction for both the projects,” he said.
Earlier, the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) had directed the Public Works Department (PWD) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to begin work on the flyover at Vytilla and Kundanoor within two months and complete it at the earliest. The revised estimated cost of Vytilla flyover will be Rs 113 crore and that of Kundanoor Rs 89 crore. Foundation stone for the Vytilla and Kundanoor flyovers were laid during the period of the previous UDF government. However, the state finance department objected to the PWD’s proposal to construct the flyovers citing concerns over investing state funds in the properties owned by the NHAI.
