Kochi: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will on Monday launch the feasibility study for a new elevated road, running parallel to the Pandit Karuppan Road, to decongest Thevara, currently hub of the KURTC and a host of educational institutions.
“The feasibility study will explore a new elevated road connecting Thevara to Perumanoor,” sources said. “Whether the road will be fully elevated or partially elevated will be determined only after the study which is being done for free. The project is part of the comprehensive development of the region.”
The aim is to complete the project at a cost of Rs 100 crore. The DMRC will consider factors such as density of population, infrastructure development, existing narrow roads and drainages while preparing the master plan.
Metroman E. Sreedharan had presented the idea of a coastal road at the Thevara area development seminar held at Sacred Heart College, Thevara, on November 1. It was attended K.V. Thomas, MP, and Hibi Eden, MLA, among others. Prof. Thomas had assured the fund would not be a problem in implementing the “much needed” project.
“The coastal road is mooted to be an elevated one over the backwaters. Whether it should be fully elevated (over the backwaters) or not will be decided after the study,” sources said.
“The narrow Pandit Karuppan Road could not contain the huge volume of traffic,” said Fr Prasant Palakkappillil, principal, SH College, who took the initiative. “A lot of educational institutions, commercial establishments and the KURTC yard are located there. The road is also a vital link to those travelling to Kundanoor and West Kochi areas.”
Fr Palakkappillil demanded that the authorities take steps to remove encroachers and unused civic utilities such as electric posts and wires to decongest the road.
