Uncertainty looms large over the fate of Vyttila and Kundanoor flyovers even as traffic snarls at the two junctions on NH 47 Bypass continue to worsen.
With work on the two projects being indefinitely postponed, the State government had clarified earlier this month that the foundation stone of the projects would be laid in August and the work commissioned in another 18 months, by February 2017.
“Though the foundation-stone laying ceremony is only a month away, the designs are not yet ready and the project cost has not been finalised,” a senior Public Works Department (PWD) official associated with the project said. This is because no one responded to the Rs. 4 crore tender that was floated inviting consultants to prepare the detailed design.
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As per the initial estimate, the six-lane Vyttila flyover was to cost a total of Rs. 109 crore, while the four-lane Kundanoor flyover would cost Rs. 80.20 crore. The delay in finalising the design and other parameters might further escalate the project cost, while commuters would have to put up with nightmarish snarls for an indefinite period at the two improperly planned junctions.
As per a project report prepared by a consultant for the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the two flyovers and those at Palarivattom and Edappally were to cost Rs. 1,600 crore – an amount that would be recovered through toll. The State government scaled down the project so that simpler flyovers could be built at the four junctions.
“The PWD sought the help of consultants since officials of the department do not have much exposure in that area of activity. While the Kundanoor flyover has a simpler design, the one at Vyttila has to take care of a possible link to the adjacent mobility hub and towards Thammanam. With the foundation stone for the projects unlikely to be laid in August, we hope to have it done at least by November 1,” PWD sources said.
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