KOCHI: As if a journey through Kochi was not enough of a nightmare, the city will turn into a real hell for motorists from Saturday. Say thanks to the authorities who have decided to impose traffic regulations prior to the re-construction of the North Railway Overbridge without completing the pre-requisites.Had the authorities taken some measures to coordinate various infrastructure projects in the city, the hardship caused to the public would have been minimal.The proper functioning of the Vyttila Mobility Hub, widening of the Thammanam-Pulleppady Road and repair of various approach roads would have diverted a major chunk of traffic from Banerji Road. But the authorities failed to ensure proper coordination between various agencies associated with these infrastructure projects and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), the nodal agency for implementing the Kochi Metro Rail Project.The Vyttila Mobility Hub, a project envisaged as a solution to the traffic bottlenecks in the city, had never been taken into consideration while shaping the plans for allied projects of Kochi Metro Rail. If the Vyttila Mobility Hub had been functioning properly, it could have taken a lot of traffic out of the city.“Earlier, there was little effort to link the Vyttila Mobility Hub project with the Metro Rail project. But last week, Tom Jose, the nodal officer for Kochi Metro Rail project, convened a coordination meeting. At the meeting, he asked us to expedite measures to see to it that the first phase of the mobility hub is in full swing,” said M Beena, managing director, Vyttila Mobility Hub Society.The previous LDF government had appointed a special officer to coordinate various infrastructure projects in the city.“It is to coordinate various development projects like the Vyttila Mobility Hub, JNNURM projects and KSUDP projects that I have been appointed. But the Kochi Metro Rail Project is not under my purview,” said T K Jose, the official who was appointed by the previous government to coordinate the infrastructure projects in Kochi.“The DMRC had approached us when they had some problems in securing the sanction of the PWD to reconstruct the North ROB. Barring this, the DMRC had never approached us for any help,” Jose said.Jose said he had submitted a detailed town planning scheme which would have ensured hassle-free land acquisition for the Thammanam-Pulleppady road. “I had submitted the report before the Assembly elections. But, it is yet to get the nod from the state government,” he said.Using the provision of transfer of development rights (TDR) in the scheme, the land for widening the road connecting Chakkaraparambu on NH Bypass and Padma Junction could have been undertaken easily.Various approach roads in the city which can be used as alternative routes are not in good condition. The Kochi Corporation could not repair these roads owing to shortage of funds.
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