Kerala - Kochi   

GCDA prepares plan for improving city corridors

Staff Reporter

Project report for 16 roads ready

KOCHI: The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) has prepared a detailed project report (DPR) for widening and improving 16 city roads that can go a long way in improving the traffic flow within the city.

These proposals formed a major component of the presentation made by the authority at the discussion held by the corporation recently on finalising the City Development Plan.

The proposals have been placed before the Kerala Road Fund Board. It is estimated to cost Rs.163 crores for all these roads.

"Railway overbridges and flyovers are being planned for all the major corridors," said V. Gopalakrishna Pillai, Senior Town Planner, GCDA.

The GCDA is working to widen the South Overbridge. "We are proposing to construct two new lanes on either sides of the bridge. The new lanes will land at the Church Landing Road, which will help the motorists to bypass the busy Pallimukku Junction," he said.

As the service roads on either sides of the bridge could be used, no fresh land acquisition will be required for constructing the side lanes.

It is expected that the new lanes would require Rs.50 crores and Rs.1-crore for reinforcing the existing bridge.

The proposal also includes outer and inner ring roads for city traffic to flow in and out of city limits without clogging the arterial roads.

Even though the GCDA had prepared a rough alignment for the 65-km outer ring road, only 35 km is being planned in this phase.

This is because besides Corporation area, municipalities of Tripunithura and Kalamassery and panchayats like Thrikakkara, Maradu, Cheranalloor, Elakunnapuzha, Njarakkal, Mulavukadu, Kadamakudy and Thiruvankulam are covered in the Central City Structural Plan prepared in 2001.

Kumbalam, Kumbalanghi and Chellanam panchayats are also included while preparing development projects.

The authority has suggested extending the Pullepady-Thammanam Road to the Kinfra Park.

This will requires construction of a flyover across the National Highway 47 and subway under Airport-Seaport Road.

There is already a proposal to improve the road up to NH 47. "We are planning to extend it by 7 km so that the IT hub will have a direct corridor to the city," Mr. Pillai said.

Even though the authority had prepared the DPR for main projects, it covers only the construction of the road. This means that additional funds need to be identified for land acquisition if required.

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