KOCHI: Considering the rising demand from the people and the stakeholders for chalking out a proper traffic diversion plan during the construction of the Vyttila flyover, the managing director of the Kerala State Construction Corporation (KSCC) said discussions will be initiated soon in this regard.
KSCC MD P G Suresh told Express, since the possibility of a revised plan for the Vyttila flyover is impossible at this stage, the authorities are now focusing on devising a conventional traffic plan during and after the construction. The possibility of a new under pass too is now under consideration.
“We will soon hold a meeting with the District Collector and the top police officers," Suresh said.
"In the meeting, we will discuss the plans that should be made in connection with the traffic diversion. It will also discuss the concerns raised by the public with regard to the construction and the traffic diversions that will follow.
"If there is a possible traffic congestion during the diversion, we will revise our plans accordingly.”
As per the design, he said, they are planning a flyover similar to the one at Edappally.
“Suggestions like two-tier and three-tier flyovers are not possible, especially in a city like Kochi in the present condition. We will have to go for major land acquisition to erect such massive structures.
"Such structures and designs may be feasible in western countries and not in a city like Kochi which is cluttered with buildings on both the sides of the roads without proper planning.
If we want to go for a massive structure like the one which is getting circulated through social media, we will have to demolish 10 to 24 buildings, which is a difficult process. If we divert to a new plan, it will affect the progress of the present proposal," he said. The officer cited protests from the general public when the authorities concerned plan major land acquisition.
“As per the present plan, there is no need for land acquisition. It will be a solace for the traffic woes. Even if the proposed flyover does not curb all the traffic problems in the city, it will help to an extent.
"Further demands and anti-development stance will only derail the current project which is already tendered and ready for implementation. The project will lapse if the construction gets delayed,” Suresh said.
It is also learnt the government is planning to construct a new under pass at the junction connecting Sahodaran Ayyappan Road with the Tripunithura side. It will soon invite a consultancy for drawing up a detailed plan for the development of the proposed under pass.
The report will be prepared soon and the plan is to launch the work of the new under pass soon after the commencement of the preparatory work for the Vyttila flyover in the second week of December.