Setback for skywalk project at East Fort.

The city Corporation’s plans to construct a skywalk at the congested East Fort junction, in partnership with a private company, has received a setback with Thiruvananthapuram Road Development Company Ltd. (TRDCL) rejecting the proposal for the same. The height of the proposed skywalk and the violations of the norms set by the Archaeology Department have been cited for the rejection, according to Corporation officials. An underpass as part of the Smart City project is now being proposed as an alternative.

The skywalk project was supposed to be implemented by Sun Infrastructure as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, with the company being allowed to use the space for advertisement. The cost of the project and the maintenance cost was to be borne by the company.

The company had earlier proposed two designs both of which were rejected by the Heritage Department too. The initial design proposed for East Fort had just one foot overbridge from Gandhi Park exit to the Babas Studio. But, the Heritage Department objected to this design and refused to provide clearance for the same. The new design had two foot overbridges, one from the Gandhi Park exit to the side of the bus stand towards Beemappally, and another from the bus stand to the opposite side. Lifts were also proposed to be provided for the skywalk on either side, considering its height.

But the height itself became a problem for the design, as it was found to be 2 metres higher than the East Fort wall of 11.5 metres. The entire space on the skywalk being used for advertisement by the company was another issue.

With the rejection of the proposal, the idea for an underpass in the area, under the city’s Smart City project is now in the reckoning. The proposed underpass would begin from Chala market and end at the bus bay, with multiple exits. The wide underpass, which would pass under the Gandhi Park, could have vending zones.

“We are still in the initial stages regarding this project. There is a project for East Fort improvement under the Smart City project to tackle issues of recurring accidents and flooding. A discussion would be held with TRDCL officials next week on how we can go about this. The underpass could come under the improvement schemes,” said an official handling the Smart City project.

THE HINDU