The dissonance between metro stakeholders and Kochi Corporation is set to deepen, with the civic agency’s council expressing its protest at KMRL and DMRC not taking it into confidence before proceeding with piling and allied civil works.
The council was particularly peeved at piling beginning at MG Road, reportedly without obtaining its nod. Even earlier, people holding decisive positions in the corporation had expressed reservations about extending cooperation to help streamline traffic movement when metro’s works are under way.
The civic agency has plainly refused to remove encroachers and widen Rajaji Road, despite the influx of vehicles through A.L. Jacob overbridge. The bridge that runs parallel to South overbridge was built in record time, as part of the metro’s preparatory works to help decongest the city. The bellmouth where Rajaji Road meets MG Road and Chittoor Road are so narrow that traffic snarls are the norm at the two junctions. Traffic policemen have a gruelling time streamlining vehicles that include KSRTC buses that ply to and from the bus stand.
A senior official associated with metro works wondered why the corporation must be informed about each and every metro-related work that is under way.
“Our main focus is on causing the least inconvenience to road users. For this, frequent discussions are held with officials of traffic police and district administration. We are open to suggestions from the Mayor and corporation representatives.”
The corporation’s attitude is being seen in stark contrast with GCDA’s ‘proactive’ approach. Its Chairman N. Venugopal said that the GCDA went out of the way to offer a few cents of its land from the pay and park area near the bus stand, so that buses can easily access the bridge.
