Edapally flyover work on hold

Kochi: The construction of the much-awaited flyover at the busy Edappally junction, started in November last, has been hit as some of the land owners are unwilling to surrender their holdings for the project. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) which is undertaking the project will be able to start full-fledged work only after the land is handed over by the district administration.

The project, which was scheduled to be completed in 18 months, will be delayed further if land acquisition is not completed within the stipulate timeframe. A total of 1.75 acres of land will have to be acquired for the entire project including the service roads and new bridges on either side of the Edappally canal.

Meanwhile, District Collector P.I Sheikh Pareeth said the construction works had not been hit and the land acquisition exercise would be completed in 10 days. “Nine landowners have already surrendered their land while a few others have submitted consent letters.

The plots of those, who are not ready to surrender land for the value fixed by the district administration, will be acquired through Land Acquisition Act,” the District Collector said. During the negotiations with landowners, the Collector offered a compensation of Rs 30.50 lakh per cent.

P.A.Hashim, the nodal officer for flyover projects (PWD) said that delay in land acquisition had slowed down the work. “Works have not been stopped fully and the task of shifting utility cables is being carried out. Preparatory works are on,  including the construction of service roads and bridges on both sides of the Edappally canal,” he said.

DMRC will be able to start piling for the flyover once the PWD completes the construction of service roads to facilitate traffic rerouting. The Rs 108-cr flyover is expected to decongest the narrow and ill-planned Edappally junction where NH 47 and NH 17 meet.