Final push for road widening

Kochi: The much-delayed Thammanam-Pullepady road widening got the final push with District Collector P.I.Sheik Pareeth submitting the final project layout for the approval of the Corporation Council.

“We’ve reduced the widening to 18 metres in the 350-metre stretch from Padma Jn to Pullepady bridge so as to reduce the land acquisition cost and hasten the process. However, in the remaining section, we’ll go for 22 metres as planned earlier. The final layout has been prepared and submitted for the council’s nod,” said the District Collector.

The prohibitive land acquisition cost, expected to cross Rs 100 cr, is the biggest hurdle in implementing the project whereas the road construction is estimated to cost just Rs 15 cr.

“I’ve been allocated Rs 25 cr more which is grossly inadequate. But we’re determined to start the process,” the collector said.

Currently, the straight road runs from Thammanam to the Pullepady bridge. The 350-metre stretch is being acquired in full so as to connect it to MG Road. Similarly, the eastern side will also be linked with the Palarivattom-Vytilla NH by-pass.

Only 94 owners have agreed to surrender their land while another 222 plots have to be acquired for realizing the project. Nearly 20 acres will have to be acquired for road widening and rehabilitation. While 10 acres will be used for widening activities, the remaining will be utilized for the rehabilitation process.