The State government, Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) and the Kochi Corporation are responsible for the traffic snarls in the city caused by Kochi Metro works and the agony that commuters endure, P.Rajeeve, MP, has said.
These agencies did not widen narrow corridors along the metro alignment as per schedule, following which traffic has been thrown haywire after metro works picked up pace. As a result, even one-line traffic is becoming tough in places like Kaloor and MG Road, he said while addressing mediapersons at the Ernakulam Press Club on Thursday.
He sought an answer from Chief Minister Oommen Chandy who chaired half a dozen meetings since 2011 to speed up land acquisition of arterial roads, on why little is taking place on the ground. “Mr Chandy should have followed up on the action taken and also pulled up officials responsible for inaction.”
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“On its part, KMRL did not devise a workable plan to streamline traffic movement. Being the nodal agency floated to catalyse metro works, it is duty bound to coordinate with police and other government agencies to remove impediments to traffic and metro works.”
Most merchants were willing to surrender land free of cost if building rules were relaxed. KMRL failed to coordinate land acquisition on time, while the Kochi Corporation did not relax building norms, he said.
Referring to the inordinate delay in widening the Thammanam-Pullepady Road, Mr Rajeeve said the corporation must widen the Padma Junction-Katrikadavu Junction reach of the road on a war footing since this would provide commuters with a respite from serpentine snarls. “Nothing has been done though State government sanctioned Rs 25 crore in 2011 and the Mayor promised a wider road in six months time.” He blamed State government and the KMRL for not commencing land acquisition to widen the Vyttila-Pettah road into four lane, though the deadline set by the government to conclude the acquisition process expired in March. “The State has not handed over compensation, though it announced a Rs 120-crore package in October last.”
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Similarly, the DMRC cannot begin metro works on Jos Junction-South Railway Station Road because land has not been acquired for widening.
Muttom yardHe held the KMRL responsible for land owners obstructing land filling for metro’s coach maintenance yard at Muttom, due to delay in paying compensation. “The problem arose since the 17-acre yard and metro village – a commercial venture, were clubbed together.”