Tenders to be floated for Vaduthala overbridge in Kochi

The long-overdue overbridge at Vaduthala is expected to streamline traffic flow in the densely-populated region where bottlenecks abound in the form of narrow roads and a railway level crossing.
| Photo Credit: H. VIBHU

With land acquisition over, decks have been cleared to invite tenders for the proposed Vaduthala overbridge.

Subsequently, residents and others from the north-western parts of Kochi are hopeful that the long-overdue bridge will help streamline traffic flow in the densely populated region where bottlenecks abound in the form of narrow roads and a railway level crossing. The State government has accorded technical sanction for the bridge a month ago.

Meanwhile, T.J. Vinod, MLA, said the government had given technical sanction for ₹20.49 crore for the project. In addition, the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) had sanctioned funds to acquire land, whose extent increased from 42.92 ares to 60.15 ares (mainly due to change of design in keeping with the additional tracks planned in the 107-km Ernakulam-Shoranur rail corridor).

The Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala (RBDCK) will build the bridge’s approach spans and roads, while the Railways will build the span over the tracks beneath.

“Residents, traders, and commuters through Vaduthala were over the past many decades forced to put up with the commotion in the region, especially around the railway gate,” said Vinu V. Nair, a resident of the area since the early 1990s.

“Often, the gate remains closed until five trains cross it continuously, resulting in motorists having to endure a prolonged wait. Narrow roads on either side make matters worse, and it takes a long time for the traffic to clear. All this has been occurring hardly 4 km from Kacheripady Junction,” he added.

Antony D’Silva, another resident, spoke of how the railway gate used to sometimes remain closed for over 10 minutes, causing serpentine traffic hold-ups on either side. “People here are eagerly waiting for the bridge,” he said.

Chandrahasan Vaduthala, a retired government official, narrated how the bridge was a long-cherished dream of not just people from the region, but also of commuters from North Paravur and Kodungalloor to reach Kochi in a fast and hassle-free manner. An ambitious project mulled over two decades ago to build an elevated roundabout at Vaduthala did not materialise as vested interests played spoilsport, he alleged.

Mr. Vinod said the bridge would considerably help commuters from Chittoor, Cheranalloor, Varapuzha, and Paravur to travel to the city and back. Prior to constructing the bridge, utility posts and cables ought to be relocated, he added.