North Railway Over-bridge work back on track

KOCHI: With the state government making it clear that there will not be any roadblock for the Kochi Metro Rail project, the district administration has decided to start reconstruction of the North Railway Over bridge immediately. The preliminary work will start once the Kochi Corporation hands over Manappattiparambu to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).Once the civic body hands over Manappattiparambu to the DMRC, the agency which has been entrusted with the reconstruction of the RoB, the latter will start the casting of girders there. "The Kochi Corporation is expected to hand over Manappattiparambu on Wednesday. Soon the DMRC will start the preliminary work," District Collector P I Sheik Pareed said.  The acquisition of two plots near the RoB is another important thing that is to be cleared without delay. "But the land is not required for the widening of the bridge. It is for the foot overbridge that the land is required. So there won't be any problem to start the work," Sheik Pareed said. The 4 (1) notification for land acquisition will be issued soon, he said. The renovated bridge will be longer and wider than the existing one. Around 70 girders will be required for the RoB. "We have decided to make a few changes in the design of the RoB. To avoid the problems arising out of poor visibility due to the sharp curve, the ratio of the curve will be brought down to 1:20 from the existing 1:10," Sheik Pareed said.To discuss about the traffic regulations to be introduced, the Transport Minister will convene a meeting of all the stakeholders including the civic body, the police and people's representatives soon. There are plans to divert the traffic through other roads like Vallarpadom ICCT- Kalamassery Road. There are also suggestions to avoid toll collection at the Pullepady overbridge so that more private and light motor vehicles can be diverted through the route.