KOCHI: Though the Public Works Department (PWD) has decided to launch the preparatory work of the Vyttila flyover along with the inaugural function scheduled for December 11, confusion still prevails over the proposed traffic diversion and the flyover’s blueprint. Once the work on the flyover gets under way, there will be major traffic diversions resulting in massive loss of business to the trading establishments located there
“The businesses will encounter issues temporarily during the construction phase but in the end, I believe it will be beneficial for them. The flyover will ensure hassle-free travel to the commuters and road users,” said M B Ali, Kochi Merchants’ Association president.
The flyover to cost an estimated Rs 86 crore, is meant to decongest the state’s busiest road junction. The flyover will be in the North-South direction on the NH Bypass and will be 700 m -long. The Petta line of the Kochi Metro will be perched six metres above the flyover. Work on the metro project in the area is scheduled to begin simultaneously.
The PWD had on November 18 signed an agreement with Sreedhanya Constructions which secured the contract for building the flyover. “As of now, we do not know where the flyover will be extended to. If our shop comes under the flyover, then our business will be hit,” said Nikhil Bose, department manager at Fashion Unlimited, situated in the area.
There are also plans to construct an underpass in the East-West direction once the construction of the flyover is completed. “It will affect us but it is for overall development. We have to face up to our fate,” said Dasappan Unni, owner of Sree Muruga stores. As per the original plan, the flyover is scheduled for completion by May 2019.