A few development projects in Pachalam are yet to take off. Years ago, a proposal was submitted for constructing a bridge in Perandoor. Had it materialised, it could have provided easy access to Pachalam ROB and the traffic chaos reduced considerably, as the approach road in the Perandoor area could directly link the Pachalam ROB to the Perandoor bridge.
Unfortunately, the ambitious projects, the Perandoor bridge and Pachalam ROB which could have benefitted people in Pachalam and Vaduthala areas are still on paper. The people are literally knocking at every door for resolving the traffic woes.
According to sources, the authorities would find it hard to push the Perandoor bridge project ahead, since a major portion of the proposed approach road to the Perandoor bridge has been encroached upon. The Coastal Zone Regulation stipulates that 10 metres should be set aside before undertaking any construction activity. But casting the clause aside, many buildings have come up on the fringes of Perandoor canal, thereby encroaching upon the approach road to the proposed Perandoor bridge.
“The road which could linked Pachalam ROB to Perandoor bridge has been blocked. The authorities are mum due to vested interests,” they said. A coastal road was also proposed from the Amrita Hospital side, which would lead to Vaduthala and Chittoor. Dredging was carried out especially in the Puthukkalavattom area but it was stalled. Another project was the ring road proposed by the GCDA, which is yet to have a final picture,” they said.
The Pachalam ROB is still on paper, for the authorities are not able to settle the alignment issue. The actual proposal was to build a 30-metre bridge, 22 metres for the main bridge and 4 metres each for the side roads. This passes through the 73rd division of Vaduthala where around 11,000 people reside. About 1,500 families have to be evicted for the purpose and 10.38 acres of land acquired. Though Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) has released the fund to construct the bridge, the state government has to initiate measures to acquire the land which is a strenuous task. The stance taken by the Kochi Corporation and the state government in this direction is not favourable, say the residents.
“The unit of SIDCO which has been closed down for more than eight years and the land near the old railway station can be acquired for the purpose. But the government is yet to take any step,” they said. The Vaduthala ROB proposal is also stuck in land acquisition issues.