Date:25/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/25/stories/2008092562790300.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Flyover work begins today

Staff Reporter

City Road Improvement Project

Cabinet sub-committee on CRIP holds meeting
Steps to vacate stay on acquisition of Malabar Castle building

Thiruvananthapuram: The construction of the flyover at Bakery Junction—under the City Road Improvement Project (CRIP)—will recommence on Thursday morning.

This was decided at a meeting, here on Wednesday, of the Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB), the Thiruvananthapuram Road Development Company Ltd (TRDCL), the implementing agency of the project; and officials from various departments. The Public Works Minister Mons Joseph presided over the meeting.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet sub-committee on CRIP which met here on Wednesday decided to go ahead with the proceedings needed to vacate the High Court stay on the acquisition of the Malabar Castle building at Pazhavangady. The Works Minister told The Hindu that the sub-committee meeting, which was specifically held to discuss the issues related with the construction of the Mele Pazhavangady flyover, decided to continue with the departmental proceedings needed to vacate the court stay on acquisition.

“Our priority now will be to ensure that the stay is not extended. The acquisition of this building is necessary for starting the works of the Mele Pazhavangady flyover,” Mr. Joseph said. He, however, added that no final decision had been taken on how to rehabilitate the displaced traders of Thakaraparambu Road in the building.

The Mele Pazhavangady flyover is the second and the final flyover structure under CRIP and will be constructed across MG Road connecting Power House Road and Thakaraparambu Road. Around 60 traders along Thakaraparambu Road, who will be displaced due to the construction of the flyover, had earlier got a stay from the High Court against the acquisition of their land until the State government settled their rehabilitation issue.

However, the land earmarked by the State government for their rehabilitation has been occupied by the Malabar Castle building, which was constructed after the government issued acquisition notification in 2005. Although the Revenue Department issued a Government Order directing the takeover of the building in August 2008, the acquisition was stayed by the High Court following a petition filed by Malabar Castle Pvt. Ltd.