As is the case with several mammoth projects in the country, there appear to be obstacles galore for the completion of the Kuthiran road tunnel project in Thrissur district. Touted to be South India’s first twin road tunnels and one of the biggest in the country once operational, the work of the project has hit a roadblock. Express lensman Ramees M A captures vignettes of the tunnel where cash crunch has stalled construction activities
Though the construction of the one-km-long twin tunnels in Kuthiran has reached its final phase, the completion of the project still remains in the doldrums. Even though the Mumbai-based Pragathi Engineering - the sub-contractor of KMC for the tunnel work - announced the opening of the tunnel several times, they too are clueless about its completion.
With the KMC facing hurdles to get funds for the project from the consortium of banks, the construction has been stalled by the subcontractor.
As per a rough estimate, KMC has to pay around R50 crore to the tunnel construction company. Though the subcontractor was able to convince their workers about the delay in payments, the suppliers stopped their supply.
“Around 500 people, two boomers, five concrete sprayers, 15 excavators, and 40 dumper vehicles to remove boulders have been working round the clock.
Though the main contractor agreed to clear the arrears by the end of last month, they failed to do so. Only after the money reaches the company’s account the work can be resumed,” said an official associated with Pragathi Engineering.
As per the estimate of tunnels prepared in 2009, the total cost for the project was pegged at R900 crore. But hurdles posed by land acquisition and objection from people delayed it. The final cost for the project would be more than R1,000 crore.
As per a rough estimate, KMC has to pay around
J50 crore to the tunnel construction company. Though the subcontractor was able to convince their workers about the delay in payments, the suppliers stopped their supply
