The lack of budgetary allocation for the proposed Vyttila and Kundannoor flyovers and for widening the Thammanam-Pullepady road, a corridor which has tremendous potential to decongest SA Road and Banerjee Road, has drawn criticism from residents’ associations in the district.
The flyovers were proposed on the NH 47 Bypass at two of the most congested junctions in the State over 10 years ago.
“It is distressing to note that the State Budget has failed to consider the flyovers and underpasses (like the one linking the NH Bypass with the NH 17 at Edappally) that were proposed long ago. Flyovers and underpasses have been allotted to other cities and towns at the cost of Kochi which contributes over 50 per cent of the State’s revenue,” said P. Rangadasa Prabhu, president of Ernakulam District Residents Associations’ Apex Council (EDRAAC).
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However, the residents’ association hailed the budget allocation for the long-pending overbridge projects at Vaduthala (Rs.35 crore) which would decongest northern parts of the city;
Atlantis (Rs.50 crore) which would open a new corridor parallel to South overbridge, and Kumbalam-Thevara (Rs.100 crore).
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The association also welcomed the allocation of Rs.15 crore for Muvattupuzha Bypass, Rs.40 crore for Muvattupuzha-Kakkanad four-lane road, Rs.50 crore for Angamaly-international airport corridor, Rs.75 crore for parallel road linking Vypeen and Pallipuram, and Rs.10 crore for Piravom-Mamala Road.