Dismantling of second bay likely to hit traffic

KOCHI: More traffic woes are awaiting Kochiites in the coming weeks as the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) is planning to start the dismantling of the second motor bay by next week. Earlier, the KMRL authorities had said that the second motor bay would be demolished only after the completion of the reconstruction of the first  bay which is being dismantled. The dismantling of the North RoB is being carried out in connection with the proposed Metro Rail project.However, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) project director P Sriramsaid that as per the original plan, both the works will be carried out simultaneously. “If we wait till the completion of the first motor bay, the entire project cannot be completed within the stipulated time. Hence it was decided to carry out the reconstruction of both the motor bays simultaneously,” he said. Sriram said the review meeting that was scheduled for Saturday has been postponed as KMRL managing director Tom Jose is away in Delhi.Regarding the traffic diversion, he said the traffic police had already worked out a proper plan in this regard. “The trial run was successful and the ongoing diversion is also going on smoothly. So we  think it will not be a burden on  the people,” he added.As per the original plan, once both the motor bays  are reconstructed, the main bridge will be dismantled. Both the motor bays will be remodelled into two-lane tracks which can even allow heavy vehicles through it. Two additional lanes will be added to the main bridge. Along with the reconstruction of the North RoB, the preliminary works for the construction of the pillars for the Metro Rail will also begin. The work is expected to be completed within 18 months. Meanwhile, the Town Planners said the repair work on Chittoor Road, which is one of the major roads through which traffic will be diverted, is yet to be completed. “De-routing traffic without completing the maintenance of the Chittoor Road will invite more traffic chaos,” they said.Now, it is only those vehicles coming from the Palarivattom side towards the North are being diverted through the Kaloor-Kathrikkadavu Road. “But once two-wheelers and three-wheelers from both sides are diverted, the Thammanam-Pulleppady Road will be   crammed,” they added.The reconstruction of the North RoB is the second major Metro Rail-related project to be initiated  this year, the first being the construction of the RoB near the KSRTC bus station connecting Rajaji Road and Salim Rajan Road.