Even though they welcomed the dream project of Kochi Metro Rail, some of the stakeholders of the city’s development at a meeting held on Saturday opined that the lack of proper preparation in construction works have created certain hurdles.
The meeting was convened by Mayor Tony Chammany to discuss issues related to the Kochi metro rail construction.
Representatives of various merchants’ associations and residents’ associations had expressed their apprehensions at the meeting that was attended by officials of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and KMRL.
Suggestions and recommendations of the meeting will be complied and presented before the Chief Minister for the consideration of the government, Chammany said after the meeting.
The representatives of merchants’ associations said barricading major roads for the rail construction without widening the roads through which the traffic is being diverted has created a deadlock situation in the city.
A majority of the participants in the discussion expressed concern over the development of the South rail overbridge (RoB).
The representatives of residents’ associations said the metro alignment should be modified to make the widening of the bridge possible in the future.
They also opined that the Thammanam-Pulleppady road widening, development of Chittoor Road and T D Road should be completed before the commencement of construction works at MG Road.
Charles Diaz MP, KMRL managing director Elias George, Deputy Mayor B Bhadra, GCDA chairman N Venugopal and DMRC project director P Sriram listen to the grievances raised by the representatives of the various associations.
Standing committees’ chairpersons, councillors, representatives of the district administration, police, traffic, Public Works Department, telecom, KSEB, Kerala Water Authority and other industrial bodies also attended the meeting.