The Alappuzha bypass project is not likely to be opened to traffic this year. Although 96% of the project has been completed, construction of two rail overbridges (ROBs) at Malikamukku and Kuthirapanthy are still pending.
Sources said that steel girders, needed for the construction of ROBs had been brought to Alappuzha but work was yet to commence. “At present we cannot provide a timeline for the completion of the project. The bypass will be commissioned only after constructing ROBs,” a Public Works Department official told The Hindu .
Sources said that it was very unlikely the bypass would be opened to traffic this year.
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Railways blamed
Meanwhile, representatives of the consortium comprising RDS Project Ltd and Cheriyan Varkey Construction Company blamed the Railways for the delay. “We are awaiting a final safety approval from the Railways. Once the nod is received the construction of ROBs will be completed without any further delay,” said a representative of the consortium.
The bypass work, which got under way on April 10, 2015 was originally set to be completed in September 2017. However, the project got delayed on account of various reasons and the deadline was initially extended to May 28, 2018 and further to August 31.
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Earlier this month, Public Works Minister G. Sudhakaran said that the deadline for the completion of the project had ended on August 31 and government would not extend it any further.
He added that the government would not announce a new date for the completion of the project.
Bringing relief
Once completed, the bypass is expected to bring relief to Alappuzha town, which has been witnessing traffic snarls on its arterial roads for several years now.
With the new bypass, the town would be able to breath a little easier.
And that would also ensure smooth movement of traffic between the State capital and the State’s commercial hub and beyond.