Even while the work on the 425-m long flyover at Mele Pazhavangady, constructed across the arterial road linking the Power House (P.H.) and Thakaraparambu roads is nearing completion, it is unlikely that road users will be able to access the service road in the near future.
While the work on the flyover is nearing completion, the construction of the service road has never quite taken off despite preliminary activities for the project commencing nearly four years ago.
However, the lack of progress in the work could be attributed to the delay in laying pipes for a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-aided drinking water supply scheme. With the stretch being dug-up in various points, vehicular traffic has been rendered near-impossible.
The situation has denied access for road users headed towards Thampanoor, East Fort, Karamana, Killipalam, Chalai and beyond. The second entry to the Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station at P.H. Road has also remained obstructed.
Anxiety
The delay in the completion of works has also created anxiety among the trading community in the area. Commercial establishments have suffered due to the lack of accessibility as well as parking space. A worker at a footwear shop, who requested anonymity, said that business has fallen drastically during the last four years.
“We had a thriving business with five salesmen employed to manage the business. Now, we have only one as sales have been gradually dwindling,” he said.
According to Arumughan, who works at a textile shop, eight shops suffered from the direct impact of the delay in work on the service road. “Among these, one establishment had shut shop some months ago with business turning unprofitable. If the circumstances remain the same, we will be forced to follow suit,” he says.
The lack of coordination is believed to be the prime reason behind the snail-like pace of the pipe-laying work.
According to sources, workers involved in the work have shown reluctance owing to the presence of underground cables of the Kerala State Electricity Board.
The JICA project has been planned in a manner that pipelines are laid from Parthas Textiles to Sreevaraham by going across MG Road.
Anilkumar Pandala, Project Director of the Thiruvananthapuram Road Development Company Ltd. (TRDCL) - the concessionaire of City Road Improvement Project – which is executing the construction of the flyover, said that two alternative suggestions had been made for expediting the pipeline works. “We had initially proposed laying the pipes across the Amayizhanchan canal to proceed through Eanchakkal to reach Sreevaraham. The other suggestion was to undertake the work through the Thekkenankara canal. However, those concerned chose to go ahead with the present plan,” he said.
Cost escalation
He added that the inordinate delay in completing the work on the service road could result in cost escalation for the project. Despite several deadlines being set for the activity, none have been adhered to, he pointed out.
Mr. Pandala also said that only bitumen topping remained for the flyover to be ready for public use.
The ongoing work is expected to be completed within a few days.
