Kochi: Work on building the Edappally flyover will begin on Thursday with minister for public works, V.K Ebrahim Kunju unveiling its foundation stone. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has promised to complete the project in 18 months.
Of the Rs 108 crore set aside for the project, RS 27 crore will be used for building the 450 meter long flyover and Rs 15 crore for the parallel bridges, service roads, escalators, drains, utility ducts, footpaths and other constructions alongside it. A whopping Rs 54 crore will be required for acquiring the 1.75 acres needed and the DMRC will be paid Rs 3.5 crore.
The Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB) has already given Rs 25 crore to the Kochi Metro Rail Limited for construction of the Metro Rail viaduct on this stretch.
The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) had initially suggested construction of four flyovers in the city on a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis at a cost of Rs 1450 crore, but the idea was shot down by the state government as it involved imposing a toll.
The Cabinet later decided to use the funds of the KRFB and assigned the work to DMRC.
