Having completed the works on a 300-metre ramp and a subway to the metro yard, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation is set to begin the construction of a new approach road connecting Muttom and the National Highway, which will be thrown open to the public later next year.
According to officials, the underpass has already been opened for the service of heavy vehicles transporting construction materials and machines to the coach maintenance depot. The new road will provide an alternative access to the residents of Choornikkara and neighbouring areas to reach Kalamassery and National Highway 47.
“We will now be starting the construction of a 7.5-metre wide road along with a one-metre footpath on the two sides and a retaining wall. The works are expected to be completed in six months, following which it will be opened to the public,” said an official.
At present, people in the locality have to take a roundabout route through the NAD road to reach Kalamassery.
Earlier in April, the DMRC had taken over a local road that criss-crossed the work site of the depot for enabling the construction works. The move drew sharp reactions from the public, who alleged infringement on the right of way and pointed out that the road’s closure would cut off the access between Aluva West and Kalamassery.
On Wednesday, DMRC principal advisor E.Sreedharan visited the location of the yard and examined the progress of civil works progressing at the site. Besides, he also visited the metro rail sites between Aluva and Kalamassery and the casting yard in HMT.
During the visit, Mr. Sreedharan also opened an additional casting yard in Muttom by the L&T to make the ‘I’ girders and speed up the civil works of Kochi Metro.
