The Finance Minister has ditched city flyovers in the budget. The Budget papers have nothing for the flyovers proposed at four major junctions in the Edappally-Aroor NH 47 Bypass.
With the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) doing little to construct the flyovers mooted about a decade ago, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) recently volunteered to construct two flyovers at Edappally by integrating the Metro Rail pillars with the design of the flyovers. But the NHAI is yet to make its stand clear on this.
Vyttila is the busiest junction in the bypass, with Edappally a close second. Last week’s inauguration of a mega shopping mall at Edappally Junction has made traffic worse. The junction has become an ordeal for commuters.
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Despite this, NHAI and the State government are yet to wake up from their slumber. There were suggestions that at least one flyover be built at Vyttila and Edappally, in the place of the two mooted, to temporarily ease snarls. A flyover each are mulled for Palarivattom and Kundanoor.
With the NHAI in no mood to begin the flyover works, the Kerala Industrial and Technical Consultancy Organisation (KITCO) stated that it was willing to build two flyovers at Vytilla Junction. The NHAI turned down the proposal, saying that it owns the NH bypass.
With the passage of time, the total cost of building flyovers has climbed from Rs. 1,158 crore in 2011 to Rs 1,600 crore now.
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The present toll rate will increase manifold if NHAI builds the flyovers. The estimated toll is Rs 80 per trip for cars by 2016, in the place of Rs 20 for a trip now. The toll can be kept in check if the State government pooled in funds for at least two of the four flyovers. The toll amount will not increase at all if the Centre provided a one-time grant.