A high-level meeting convened by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Wednesday to discuss the issues pertaining to Kochi metro rail project has decided to appoint a sub-committee to look into the threat of water logging in areas around the metro yard in Muttom.
“A four member committee, consisting of KMRL MD, Choornikkara panchayath president and chairmen of Aluva and Kalamassery municipalities, has been entrusted to identify the problems associated with the construction of the yard and chalk out solutions,” said Elias George, the Managing Director of Kochi Metro Rail Limited. The decision comes in the wake of an argument that the reclamation of land at Chavarpadam, site for the proposed metro yard, was posing a threat to the natural drainage system connecting the low-lying area with the Periyar.
The residents in the locality claim that at least 400 families residing in the areas of Muttom, Ambattukavu and Thayikkattukara face the threat of flood in the upcoming rainy season in the absence of a proper drainage network.
K.K. Jamal, the vice-president of Choornikkara panchayat, said the priority of the committee would be on reconstructing the canals and repairing the damaged roads. “There is an urgent need to construct an alternative canal network comprising at least four drains in the Chavarpadam area to accommodate the excess water flowing here in the rainy season,” he said.
“Further, at least six roads passing through the region have suffered severe damage due to the frequent movement of heavy vehicles for metro –related construction, which should be also addressed on a priority basis,” Mr. Jamal added.
The meeting on Wednesday also decided to allot Rs. 54 crore to expedite the acquisition of land for Edappally flyover and another Rs. 52 crore towards the works on Pachalam ROB. Besides, consensus with regard to handing over the Thammanam-Pulleppady road to the Public Works Department to expedite its widening was also reached upon.
“Another committee comprising Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash, Transport Minister Aryadan Muhammed, GCDA Chairman N. Venugopal, Ernakulam District Collector Rajamanickam and KMRL MD will negotiate with St. Albert’s college authorities to arrive at an acceptable settlement regarding the 98 cents of land at Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium,” Mr. George said.
Besides, the PWD has been directed to stop the concrete work of the Medical College-Kalammassery road to enable transportation of raw-materials to the HMT casting yard.
