The Greater Cochin Development Authority’s (GCDA) efforts to decongest SA Road by developing Chilavanoor Bund Road will get a shot in the arm if Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) steps in with support.
In the absence of an alternative road to divert traffic to, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is unable to begin piling on the Kadavanthra-Vyttila stretch.
“We are unable to erect barricades on the stretch and begin piling because of delay in widening narrow portions of the road, especially at Elamkulam, South Janatha and Vyttila. Even if they are widened, commissioning of Bund Road is critical to divert cars and smaller vehicles through it when more piling sites open on SA Road,” DMRC sources said.
They added that the KMRL and the State Government should have taken steps to catalyse development of Bund Road and widen bottlenecked portions on SA Road, much before metro’s civil works began in June 2013. “Except for holding frequent meetings on metro-related land acquisition, very little action takes place on the ground level,” they said.
As for the GCDA, it is confident of completing work on the Bund Road that would link Thykoodam which is located south of Vyttila on NH Bypass, and the Pandit Karuppan Road in Thevara by December.
“For this, land acquisition is in the final stage. We need to acquire around two more acres of land. We need approximately Rs. 20 crore to surface the four-km-long stretch which has width ranging from 10 to 15 metres. The KMRL which is pursuing widening of Thammanam-Pullepady Road as part of the metro, could share the expenses of widening Bund Road so that the road can be developed prior to deadline, enabling diversion of vehicles from SA Road,” GCDA sources said.
Elias George, the managing director of the KMRL, said the agency had already sent a list of road corridors in Kochi to be developed to the State government. “This package will be implemented as second phase of preparatory works for Kochi Metro. We need to think whether (part funding of) Bund Road project can be included in this,” he said.
The GCDA is currently engaged in developing the Bund Road at Sastri Nagar housing colony area located between Kasturba Nagar and KP Vallon Road.
Next in line would be widening narrow portions from Chilavanoor Bridge up to NH Bypass, for which the agency needs around an acre of land. One more acre of land is needed on the KP Vallon Road–Amala Bhavan stretch.
