KOCHI: A tower crane abandoned during metro construction activities over a decade ago is not only posing a danger to hundreds of vehicles and pedestrians at the busy Vyttila junction, but also hindering the junction development plan.
The crane was used by ERA Constructions, which later abandoned the huge machine at the start of Kaniyampuzha road when the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) terminated its contract with the firm, citing delays and unsatisfactory work, on the direction of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
“The crane has been lying here for nearly 13 years. Exposed to rain and sunshine for years, many parts of the machine have rusted. With the ground getting loose following heavy rain these days, there is a threat of the crane getting uprooted and falling over the vehicles using the Kaniyampuzha road and also a section of buildings there, including my house,” said Vyttila councillor Sunitha Dixon.
The issue has been brought to the notice of the Vyttila Mobility Hub Society (VMHS), on whose land the machine is idling now. However, no action has been taken yet, she rues.
“Since the agreement is between the DMRC and ERA Constructions, the state government should take steps to contact them and ask them to remove the machine and also collect fines towards illegally parking the tower crane. It will incur a good amount to shift the vehicle from there. The huge crane, which got corroded from top to bottom, itself cost `7 crore then,” Sunitha added.
Vyttila Junction devpt hindered
Meanwhile, the abandoned tower crane is hindering the development of the busy Vyttila Junction, where the authorities are planning major measures to decongest it.
“The crane is preventing the widening of the Kaniyampuzha road, which connects the Mobility Hub. Further the vehicles coming from the Aluva side and proceeding to Tripunithura direction can be redirected through the section. The vehicles can take a right turn from before the Vyttila metro station to further proceed to the temple town,” said Sajan P John, Chief Operating Officer, Kochi Water Metro Ltd. The OCC of the Water Metro is located inside the Vyttila Hub.
In fact, the metro authorities have submitted a proposal to the authorities to decongest the busy Vyttila Junction by diverting vehicles through the western end of the Vyttila Mobility hub.
“The crane is posing a major hindrance for that. The traffic police should levy a penalty on the contractor and take steps to shift it from the busy junction,” he added.
The Vyttila United Forum Action Council also batted for the junction improvement by diverting the vehicles through the hub.
“The western end of the hub currently lies as a vacant forested land, and it should be developed to ensure diversion and smooth flow of traffic,” said Thampy V R, chairman, adding that the crane poses a big hurdle to the plan.
Looming threat
The crane was used by ERA Constructions, which later abandoned the huge machine when the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd terminated its contract with the firm
Exposed to rain and sunshine for years, many parts of the machine have rusted. There is a threat of the crane getting uprooted and falling over the vehicles
It is hindering the development of the Vyttila Junction, where authorities are planning major measures to decongest it