KOCHI: Projects costing a total of Rs.3,500 crores have been mooted to construct new roads, bridges and flyovers in Kochi, to streamline traffic and to change the face of the city.

Mayor Mercy Williams has said that a project steering committee has been working on the proposals. Recommendations made by the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC), the Babu Jacob Committee, etc., have been taken into account while coming up with the proposals. "The Babu Jacob Committee has recommended steps to develop 16 road corridors in Kochi. An outer ring road starting from the Marine Drive and passing through Chatiath, Vaduthala, Cheranaloor, Varapuzha, Athani, Edathala, Puthen Cruz and Udayamperoor to reach Kumbalam too has been suggested," she said.

The proposals will be placed before the Union Government to get funds under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) project. Though no time-frame has been fixed, the projects have been planned to be completed within six years. The nodal agency for the project was constituted just a month back.

"Agencies concerned must make a concerted effort to speed up the works and coordinate with the other agencies. We are also making attempts to bring amendments to relevant building rules so that land acquisition can be carried out sans hassles," Ms. Williams said.

A Greater Cochin Transport Authority has been mooted to coordinate among different departments, so that smooth and safe movement of traffic can be assured. The proposals include optimal use of roads, suburban rail, metro rail and inland waterways to transport passengers and goods. It has been suggested that major roads be reinforced and provision made for rainwater to drain off. Ducts have to be laid to carry cables and pipelines and footpaths constructed over them.

The major road projects include the North-South Ring Road, which starts from Pottakuzhi and extends to K.P. Vallon Road; Goshree-Pachalam Road, widening of Banerjee Road, Vytilla-Thripunithura Road, the road connecting Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road with the KSRTC stand and Bund Road which will run parallel to S.A. Road. The Bund Road will start from the shipyard and end at Thykoodam in the NH bypass.

Among the other roads which have to be developed are the Panampilly Nagar-Konthuruthy stretch, Kumbalanghi-Perumpadaph-Aroor stretch and the stretch which links Rajendra Maidan with the High Court. Flyovers have been suggested at Edapally, Palarivattom, Vytilla, Kundanoor and SN Junction. Rail overbridges have been planned at Atlantis, Vathuruthy, Ponnurunni, Pachalam and Vaduthala. Another recommendation is to convert the rail overbridges at Ernakulam North and South into four-lane.

A mofussil bus stand and boat terminal have been planned at Vytilla. The boat terminal will promote waterways as an ideal mode of fast transport, which will reduce the strain on roads. Bus stands have been planned in major centres in the suburbs.

NATPAC Director T. Elankovan said that both short and long-term schemes would be given shape to, based on field surveys that were being carried out in the city.

An official of the Public Works Department said that it was high time an IAS officer was posted at the helm to coordinate the work among various departments which had a stake in developing road and allied infrastructure.

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