Kochi Corporation former Mayor Mathew Pylee has came out strongly against the civic body for the lag in completing Metro Rail-related works which, he said, has been causing traffic chaos across the city.
“The Corporation has failed to start any of the projects, including widening of the South Railway Over Bridge (ROB) and Thammanam-Pullepady Road, construction of Atlantis ROB, Goshree-Mamangalam road, Pachalam ROB, reconstruction of PVS culvert and widening of the stretch between North station and South station,” said the former Mayor.
He said that some of these projects required urgent attention. Otherwise, the Corporation would not be able to materialise them anytime soon.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has informed the Kerala Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) that after the commencement of Metro works, the widening of South ROB would not be possible.
The DMRC has also prepared a report for the widening. But, the government has decided to allocate funds only in next budget which is a betrayal of people’s hopes. The reconstruction of PVS culvert is also suffering. The work to build pillars on both sides has begun, if not now the culvert cannot be reconstructed again,” Mathew Pylee said.
He added that the present allocation of `25 crore funds for the widening of Thammanam-Pullepady road would be inadequate. He alleged that the construction of Pachalam-Vaduthala ROB is hindered by nothing but vote bank politics.
However, the authorities with the Kochi corporation refuted the allegations and said that preparations are on for beginning works in many of the above said projects.