EMKE Group, which owns the LuLu Mall, Edappally, should be asked to bear the cost of constructing a flyover at Edappally as the mall has contributed to traffic snarls in the region, the CPI(M) has demanded.
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, CPI(M) district secretary C.M. Dinesh Mani and P. Rajeev, MP, said the mall was constructed violating building rules.
While constructing the mall, the builders had failed to leave the minimum clearance from the banks of the canal. The group constructed a bridge over the Edappally canal connecting Kochi Corporation and Kalamassery municipality. The bridge was being exclusively used by the group, they alleged.
The opening of the mall had contributed to the traffic snarls at Edappally. In the normal course, permission would not be granted for a mall at the convergence point of two national highways. Direct access had been provided from the mall to the two national highways too, they said.
‘Foot the bill’
Considering these aspects, the group should be asked to foot the bill for constructing the flyover. The funds earmarked by the government for the Edappally project should be used for constructing a flyover at the Vyttila junction, the CPI(M) leaders demanded.
A project proposal prepared by KITCO for the Vyttila flyover project should be considered. A flyover at Palarivattom should also be considered as traffic flow to the region would increase with the construction of a flyover at Edappally.
The South Overbridge should have a carriageway of four lanes. The original proposal drafted by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation had envisaged a four-lane road in place of the demolished bridge.
The government should stick to the original proposal for constructing a four-lane pathway there, they demanded.
When contacted, a spokesperson for LuLu International Shopping Mall Pvt. Limited refused to respond.
