Kochi metro stakeholders have sought the State government’s intervention to resume work on Pachalam overbridge, which was halted in September.
A hydraulic rig deployed by the contracting firm on the southern side has been idling since June, prompting the firm to seek compensation from Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), which is building the bridge as part of Kochi metro’s preparatory works.
“The bridge would have been commissioned by now but for pressure groups repeatedly stalling the work. Land acquisition too has been delayed since they are discouraging land owners from collecting compensation,” DMRC sources said.
As a result not even half of the structure is ready, though the level crossing beneath was closed in March when the bridge works began.
Commuters’ woesNow, the commuters have to travel extra distance up to Vaduthala level crossing and endure maddening snarls to reach the city and back, prompting Action Council for Pachalam Railway Overbridge and numerous other NGOs to decry frequent work disruptions.
The council alleged that a deliberate campaign was under way by vested interests to thwart construction of the bridge.
“Contrary to propaganda, the bridge will in no way affect Katumkal temple since DMRC’s Principal Advisor E. Sreedharan took care of this aspect in its design. In fact, the bridge will ensure a wider road in front of the temple. Still, a few people of Pachalam blocked the construction activity and the work is held up. The bridge work must resume and the project must be completed at the earliest,” the council said in a press release.
Bridge widthOn allegations that the bridge is two lane and not four lane as planned, metro sources pointed out that the far busier Ernakulam South overbridge and numerous other bridges in congested routes were two lane.
A four-lane bridge at Pachalam would require massive land acquisition, they said.
