KOCHI: With the state government allotting `8 lakh for the preliminary work of the Push-Through-Subway construction planned at the closed level-cross No 68A at Edappally, the green signal has been given for the launch of the project.
Earlier, the Railways asked the state government to deposit `8 lakh for the project after giving sanction for it in September 2014. Accordingly, the state government issued an order on November 11 stating that the amount would be handed over to the Indian Railways for the preliminary steps required for the construction.
In its order (RT0 No:1558/2014/PWD, the authorities concerned said the government has examined the proposal for the limited use subway and is pleased to sanction `8 lakh for preparing the general arrangement drawing and estimate for its work. The chief engineer (Roads and Bridges) will soon deposit the amount with the Railways, according to the Order dated 11.11.2014.
The proposed subway will have a width of 4 metre and a height of 2.5 metre along with a drainage to the nearest bridge.
Welcoming the decision, the office-bearers of the Edappally Railway Gate Residents Association, in a statement issued here on Tuesday, said that when the Railway Overbridge was opened, the railway gate was closed which was a blow to around 2,000 families. The association had approached Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, PWD Minister V K Ebrahim Kunju and K V Thomas MP many times in this regard.
“After the inauguration of the Edappally Railway Overbridge (ROB), the level cross No 68A at Edappally was permanently closed. This has affected nearly 2,000 residents in the area who had to take a round about path to the new ROB to reach the city,” the release said.
They also expressed hope that the project will be completed within the stipulated time.