Decisions on a few major infrastructure projects such as the flyovers in Vyttila and Kundannoor and extension of Kochi metro rail to Kakkanad will be taken shortly.
The State government is toying with the idea of constructing the two flyovers in 15-year annuity mode and it would be toll-free passages. A decision on the two projects would be taken within two to three weeks, said P.K. Ebrahim Kunju, Minister for Public Works.
The State Cabinet was expected to approve the proposal for extending metro rail to Kakkanad within a fortnight, he said.
Replying to the queries at a workshop organised by the Better Kochi Response Group here on Tuesday, Mr. Kunju said the designs prepared by the National Highway Authority of India for the two projects were not ideal for Kochi. Moreover, one needs to pay at least Rs. 100 as toll charges for using the thoroughfare. Hence, the government decided to construct the projects own its own. There were some financial issues to be solved regarding the construction, he said.
There was a general feeling that the road cess collected from the sale of petrol and diesel should be used for the development of the roads itself, the Minister said.
Mr. Kunju said the Department was in favour of Transfer of Development Rights (the scheme permitting the transaction of relaxations in building regulations like floor area ration allowed for persons surrendering land for development projects), which didn’t find favour with the Local Self Government Department.
Flagging the Kochi Metro Rail project as a landmark development scheme that would solve the urban transport issues to a considerable level, Mr. Kunju said development of parking bays in areas like Aluva would help people coming from neighbouring districts to leave their vehicles at the bays and travel by metro rail.
The Minister suggested special dispensations and agencies like Metropolitan Council for funding and managing Kochi projects. “The requirements of a growing city like Kochi cannot be met by the conventional modes of funding,” he said.
