The State government is probing different options, including extending the toll period for the proposed overbridges on the Edappally-Aroor NH bypass so that motorists would not have to give huge amounts as toll, the Minister for Public Works V.K. Ebrahim Kunju said on Saturday.
His statement comes in the wake of the National Highways Authority of India stating that the existing toll rates would have to be hiked manifold once the four flyovers on the 16-km stretch are ready. The flyovers are expected to cost Rs.1,200 crore, whereas four-laning the Vyttila-Aroor stretch (for which toll is being collected) cost Rs. 191 crore. Speaking to The Hindu here, Mr. Kunju said that increasing the toll period would be among the options that the State government would suggest to the NHAI to lessen the burden of the toll on motorists.
Crossing the four junctions on the bypass has become a nightmare for motorists and pedestrians because of the phenomenal increase in number of inter and intra-district vehicles.
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Speaking on the toll issue, PWD Secretary Manoj Joshi said that various options would be tried out so that a “practical” toll rate can be arrived at by the NHAI and the State government. “The options include extending the toll period, and subsequently the time span for which the contractor would have to maintain the bypass and the four flyovers in good condition. We cannot collect a huge toll from motorists for using the small bypass.”
Asked whether it is appropriate to collect toll from vehicles using the bypass that is located within the city, Mr. Joshi said the NH bypass in Kochi is not a typical highway, since it is part of the city. But the NHAI has a common toll policy for its roads within city limits and those outside it.
The NHAI had recently estimated the cost of building flyovers at the congested Edappally, Palarivattom, Vyttila and Kundanoor junctions on the bypass at Rs. 1,158 crore. Two flyovers each have been mooted at Edapally, Palarivattom and Vyttila junctions. They are expected to be ready in three years' time.
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Later, speaking to the media at another function, Mr Kunju said that a report on building a overbridge or underpass at the Vathuruthy level crossing in Willington Island has been sought within a month from a team of experts from the Indian Navy and the RBDCK.
“The Navy has suggested an underpass since a flyover might affect the operation of its aircraft from the adjacent naval airport,” he said.
The overbridge proposal was discussed at a meeting convened here on Saturday by Mr Kunju and Mr Thomas. This is because of the expected increase in the flow of vehicles through the existing railway level cross following the commissioning of the Venduruthy-Vikrant overbridge.
This apart, more trains are expected to call at the Harbour Terminus railway station once the new railway bridge parallel to the Venduruthy bridge is opened.