Spotlight on long-pending projects.

The State Budget has allocated funds for many long-pending yet crucial infrastructure projects in the city and suburban areas, while leaving out a few major road and flyover projects.

The earmarking of ₹113 crore for the Vyttila flyover has brought some cheer for organisations campaigning for the structure. The National Highways Authority of India is currently engaged in preparing a revised plan for the flyover, though former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had laid the foundation stone in February 2016.

“The upcoming design must take into account factors such as traffic from eight major roads converging at the junction, which is the biggest in Kerala. Presuming that the flyover will be built over the NH Bypass, steps must be taken to streamline traffic in the S.A. Road-Pettah corridor too, by building an underpass,” said V.R. Thampy, chairman of Vyttila United Forum, a conclave of residents’ associations, merchant unions and NGOs.

Welcoming the allocation of funds for the flyover and ₹100 crore to widen the Thammanam-Pullepady Road, P.T. Thomas, MLA, said the road must be extended to Padma Junction on M.G. Road and up to Infopark, through Chakkaraparambu on NH Bypass, Vennala and Seaport-Airport Road.

Mr. Thomas demanded that the Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) step in and widen the Vyttila-Kunnara Park stretch since the metro agency was engaged in widening the Kunnara Park-Pettah Road. Responding to this, KMRL sources said the agency was open to widen the stretch as well, provided the government allotted funds.

On the Budget’s mention of ₹1,552 crore for a slew of major infrastructure projects, including the Kochi Metro, KMRL sources said the funds would be used to acquire land for metro’s Thripunithura and Kakkanad extensions.

THE HINDU