Date:13/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/13/stories/2006111319970300.htm

Kerala - Kochi

RBDCK planning to build more bridges

John L. Paul

Railways' delay holding up opening of road overbridge

NO END IN SIGHT: The Railways have not yet completed work on the 25-metre rail portion of the road overbridge at Pullepady. The RBDCK completed work on the bridge's approach spans early this year.

KOCHI: The city may get at least three more bridges if the plans drawn up by the Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala (RBDCK) bear fruit.

Road overbridges are in the pipeline at Ponnurunni, Pachalam and Atlantis to prevent traffic congestion at the level-crossings. Steps have been taken to start work on the first two and the bridge connecting Panampilly Nagar with Atlantis Junction on MG Road may follow. These and the Pullepady road overbridge (where the rail portion is yet to be built) will ease traffic congestion in the northern and southern parts of the city.

The RBDCK has already completed the approach spans on the Pullepady bridge. There has been undue delay on the part of the Railways in completing the rail portion.

The City Corporation has not yet completed the land acquisition procedure to widen roads on the western and eastern sides of the bridge. It reportedly owes 20 per cent of the value of the land to those who surrendered their property. Once completed, the bridge will decongest the Ernakulam North overbridge.

RBDCK managing director R. Sreelekha said an innovative elevated roundabout has been planned for Pachalam to ease congestion in Pachalam and Vaduthala. "The Kerala Industrial and Technical Consultancy Organisation (KITCO) has readied a plan for the roundabout which is expected to cost Rs.16 crore. The Railways opposed our plan to construct a commercial complex at the centre of the roundabout and so we have dropped that part of the plan. We will soon submit the new plan to the Railways. The roundabout will have arms branching to six roads, with one of them connecting to Goshree islands."

Land acquisition is over for the bridge at Ponnurunni. The RBDCK will soon tender the work. The sole bottleneck is the dispute over compensation to be paid a person staying on Railway `puramboke' land. The bridge here is expected to cost Rs.8 crore.

Land is yet to be acquired for the bridge at the railway level-crossing at Atlantis. "Apart from this being a heavily built-up area, the power-transmission line near the railway line has to be relocated. Another option will be to lay underground cables, as was done beneath the Koratty bridge," said Ms. Sreelekha.