KOCHI: With the National Highway Authority of India formally informing the state government of its disinterest in taking up construction of the twin flyovers at Vyttila and Kundanoor, now the cabinet will discuss the next steps. Minister for Public Works G. Sudhakaran confirmed that his office had received a letter from NHAI. “NHAI has informed that since the state government had earlier made a commitment to construct the two flyovers and got the NOC from the Authority, it cannot take up the project. The previous ministry had agreed to construct the flyovers. Now, the state government has two options, either to approach the NHAI again or to carry out the project on its own. A final decision will be taken by the cabinet,” the minister told DC.
The government’s poor financial status is likely to affect the project as the total estimated cost is Rs 210 crore. The recurring uncertainties have once again dashed the hopes of city residents over getting the much needed flyovers. Meanwhile, top sources at National Highway Authority of India who do not want to be identified said that there were a series of issues between the Authority and the state government which resulted in the rejection of the flyover project.
“During the previous government’s term, several flyovers were constructed along National Highways without consulting the Authority, including the Edappally and Palarivattom over-bridges. Those conflicts may have influenced the decision,” said a top official. However, he also added that the Authority and the LDF government were working in unison and the road widening and land acquisition works in the northern districts had gained momentum.
