KSCC to build road at Rs 97-cr to ease traffic in Kochi

To ease traffic congestion from Vallarpadam to NH 17 at Paravoor, Kochi, the Kerala State Construction Corporation (KSCC) will construct a road from Chathanad-Moolampilly at Rs Rs 97-crore. The general council of Goshree Islands Development Authority (GIDA) held in Kochi on February 12 decided to this extent. It is to entrust the road construction. GIDA had earlier planned to give the project to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).

The District Collector PI Sheik Pareeth, who is also the secretary of GIDA DMRC has limitations in undertaking works outside Delhi. So the general council decided to rope in KSCC for the project. With GIDA deciding to change the implementing agency, the project cost may also see an upward revision. The 4.5 km road, connecting Vallarpadam and Ezhikkara near Paravoor, will have three major bridges and one small bridge.

The general body also approved the revised estimate of water supply projects for Varappuzha and Kadamakkudy. The cost of the project, to be implemented by the Kerala Water Authority (KWA), has gone up from Rs 16 crore to Rs 30 crore. As per the plan, prepared three years ago, water will be drawn from Periyar at Muppathadam .

A project to raise low-lying areas in Thanthonnithuruth was also presented before the governing council. The meeting approved the project, which is to be implemented at a cost of Rs 3.5 crore.

Waterlogging has been a major problem in many parts of the panchayat. Another proposal for building sidewalls to protect the canals in Mulavukad panchayat at a cost of Rs 30 lakh was also approved.