Kochi: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has finally started construction activities in the Vytilla-Pettah stretch even as road widening works are fast progressing in patches there. The four-km stretch is the one where construction activities were delayed for over a year due to land acquisition issues. Only half of the 410 cent land required for widening has been completed so far.
The DMRC has floated tenders for construction of stations at Tykoodam and Pettah besides station-related activities in the major station at Vytilla Hub. It has also invited an Expression of Interest for construction of a two-lane Road Over Bridge at Chambakkara. “We expect to finalise the tenders and start the work by November. We also hope that the land acquisition issues will be resolved by that time,” said DMRC sources.
The Vytilla-Pettah road, currently with a width of 15 meters, is sought to be increased to 26 meters and upto 30 metres wherever space is available. The carriage ways of the widened road should have a width of 7.5 meters on either side. While the width of medians is set at 4 meters, the footpaths on either side would be 1.4 meter wide.
Meanwhile, the Public Works Department said currently the road widening works were progressing at patches where the land acquisition is already over. “We expect the entire road widening to be over in another six months. The works are done especially at night so as to keep the hindrance to traffic flow at the minimum,” he said.
