THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The design layouts for the proposed flyover at Kazhakootam junction, as part of the first phase development of Kazhakootam-Mukkola NH bypass, are in the final stage. Two layouts which were designed by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) will be sent to its headquarters at New Delhi within two weeks for final approval. Once NHAI gets the approval, the construction work is likely to begin in three months time, sources said.
However, the underpass proposed in front of the Technopark has been dropped with the NHAI officials pointing out that the widening of the existing road would be enough for the vehicles and pedestrians going towards the IT hub.
The idea of flyover and underpass at Kazhakootam was mooted by NHAI in order to decongest the IT corridor. For years, the traffic in front of Technopark has been a nightmare for the motorists and employees of the companies in the Technopark. The authorities and several organisation in the Technopark including GTech had requested the government to set in place better traffic management by constructing appropriate flyovers and underpasses.
NHAI officials will be sending the two ‘altered designs’ to the headquarters after the latter sought some clarifications on the designs mooted for the project.
The old design was developed in such a way that the total cost of the project would have been an estimated Rs 120 crores. In this design, the 1.2 kilometre long flyover had no footpaths. As per the layout, provision was made for two-way traffic on the flyover with the areas demarcated using medians.
The construction of the flyover starts at a distance of 200 metres from Kazhakootam junction towards Kaniyapuram and ends at 300 metres from Kazhakootam junction towards the NH bypass stretch near Technopark.
However, the NHAI headquarters sought clarifications on this design and also suggested some alterations. Meanwhile in the second design, the total cost has been estimated to be at around Rs 145 crore for the same length of 1.2 metres and width of 19.5 metres. The new one has an additional 1.5 metre for the footpath on the either sides.
“The current plan proposes footpaths on the flyover and this has escalated the total cost to Rs 145 crore. However, the officials in the headquarters have asked both the designs to be altered based on the traffic flow and the number of pedestrians. Hence, the designs are in the final stage and they will be sent to the head quarters for the final approval within two weeks with necessary alterations,” a top NHAI official said.
In a recent study by NATPAC, a six lane elevated road was suggested as part of de-congesting Kazhakootam. However, NATPAC officials said that with widening of the existing road at Kazhakootam, the traffic congestion can be reduced to an extent.
The Specifications
Two layouts designed by National Highway Authority of India will be sent to its headquarters at New Delhi within two weeks for the final approval
Once NHAI gets the approval, construction works will begin in three months time
The proposal to construct an underpass in front of Technopark is dropped
Fly over starts at the distance of 200 metres away from Kazhakootam junction to the Kaniyapuram direction and ends at 300 metres away from Kazhakootam junction to the NH bypass stretch near Technopark
Tarring Works progressing Smoothly
The bitumen laying on the three kilometre stretch from Akkulam to Kazhakootam side is progressing on a fast pace. On Saturday, nearly two kilometres of tarring was completed. The tarring began from before the Infosys campus at Akkulam. A new layer has been laid to further strengthen the road. Medians were also constructed.
Akkulam Bridge: Piling Work Begins
The construction of a new bridge at Akkulam is also progressing. The piling works for the pillars of the bridge is going on in full swing. Officials want to complete the piling works before the monsoon starts. The proposed 396 metres long and 10 metres wide bridge will have paved shoulders on the either sides.
