Preliminary works to widen Kaniampuzha Road begins.

Weeds and other obstacles on Kaniampuzha Road are being cleared prior to developing Kaniampuzha-Eroor Road into a 10-metre-wide stretch.

This is part of widening the stretch from Vyttila Junction to Mobility Hub into a four-lane one. The Vyttila Mobility Hub Society had promised that a new road that is as wide as the existing one will be built on its southern side. This will enable easier entry of buses into the Hub and also pave the way for Kochi Metro to reach Vyttila station proposed on the premises.

A fortnight ago, State government had sanctioned PWD’s project to widen Kaniampuzha Road-Eroor-Airport-Seaport Road into a 10-metre-wide stretch. A senior PWD official said that an average of one-metre land will be acquired from either side for the purpose. “Land acquisition can begin once we get government’s administrative sanction.”

Simultaneously, PWD is awaiting funds from the government to widen Vyttila-Pettah Road that runs parallel to Kaniampuzha-Eroor road, into a four-lane road. This will help streamline flow of vehicles to and from Vyttila Junction.

While the two roads enable connectivity from Vyttila to Tripunithura, a ring-road that was mooted around Vyttila Junction by Better Kochi Response Group (BKRG) – an NGO, is hanging fire. 'With no steps being taken to decongest Vyttila, we intend to convene a meeting of stakeholders to exert pressure on civic agencies. The fate of similar stalled projects in other parts of the city too will be discussed. PWD has not taken experts and NGOs into confidence regarding long-pending flyovers at Vyttila and Kundanoor,' said S. Gopakumar, its president.

Councillor representing Vyttila in Kochi Corporation, Sunitha Dixon too expressed concern at inordinate delay in shaping the ring road. She said that a Rs. 33.20 lakh-project to pave interlocking tiles over RSAC Road that links the Hub with Vyttila underpass, will commence in August. 'This will provide some respite to commuters who now have to endure the potholed road.'



THE HINDU