In a major step towards materialising the Edappally flyover project, the government has handed over the construction work of the flyover to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. Of the total construction cost of Rs135 crore, Kochi Metro Rail Ltd will provide Rs 40 crore, which includes the construction of the metro rail structure in the region.
Works Minister V K Ibrahim Kunju has said that the land acquisition cost of Rs 45 crore will be provided by the Revenue Department while Rs 50 crore for road construction will be given by the Kerala Road Fund Board. A decision in this regard was taken at the high-level meeting attended by DMRC principal advisor E Sreedharan, PWD secretary T O Sooraj, NHAI officials and PWD chief engineers in the presence of the minister. The state government is also considering other options to tackle traffic congestion on at Edappally, including the setting up of an elevated highway, the officials said.
The detailed design and report for the flyover project have been handed over to the DMRC. The MoU will be signed once the Cabinet gives its nod, the minister said. Efforts are being made to secure NHAI’s approval for the project. Sreedharan has assured that the project will be completed within 18 months once the state government acquires land for the same.
Works Department Central Circle Superintending Engineer Hashim has been entrusted with the task of coordinating the activities of KMRL, KRFB and NHAI for the project. The Edappally flyover project is being given prominence in view of the upcoming Kochi Metro rail project, officials said. Some other major initiatives, including a ‘two-tier elevated highway’ are under the consideration of the state government to address the traffic congestion at Edappally.