Traders block Kochi Metro's Aluva beautification

KOCHI: The beautification of Aluva town as part of the Kochi Metro Rail project spending Rs 8 crore continues to be stalled due to the stiff opposition from the trading community in the area where the project is proposed. Initially the CPM was against the project and consequentially, construction stopped for two weeks. But with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan intervening after his arrival for the inauguration of the Maharaja’s College stretch of the metro, the party stepped back from it. Following this, traders came out with their protest stalling the project.

A footpath and cyclepath are to be constructed from Aluva Metro station to Pulinchodu at a cost of '8 crore as part of the beautification project. The traders there demand that the width of the footpath and cycle path should be reduced and space should be earmarked for parking vehicles in front of the shops. Currently work on the stretch from Aluva metro station to the private bus stand has been completed. BJP councillor A C Santhosh Kumar and independent councilor Seby V Bastin have asked the KMRL authorities to intervene to resume work.

“A UDF councilor and another UDF leader are backing the project during the day and opposing it at night. These incidents are shackling the works on the western side of the metro. The Aluva Municipal administration is also passive to the developments. So KMRL should take the initiative to solve it,” Seby V Bastin said. When contacted, KMRL authorities told DC that a major block to the project is over with the CPM withdrawing its opposition. “We are slowly advancing on the project and it will get a fillip soon,” the spokesperson said. It is also pointed out that Aluva Municipality needs to undertake the rehabilitation of traders who were moved to below the overbridge on the national highway after the demolition of the Aluva market.