Kerala - Kochi   

Chamber seeks more flyovers in city

KOCHI: Jasbir Singh Chawla, president of the Mattancherry-based Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has decried the disorderly growth of Kochi which had aggravated traffic congestion on the main and arterial roads in the city.

Talking to reporters here, Mr. Chawla said that while the pace of development in Kochi had been remarkable, there were several problems which needed the urgent attention of the authorities.

Listing them, he said that the State government should give priority to construction of flyovers and overbridges at prime locations on a war-footing.

He also underlined the need to introduce KSRTC Services via Kundannur connecting places in the eastern and northern parts of Kochi to places in West Kochi. While introducing premium Volvo bus services in the city, adequate number of such buses should be allotted for services to various destinations via Kundannur bypass. There should be more schedules between Chottanikara, a pilgrim centre and Fort Kochi, a tourist destination; between Aluva and Fort Kochi; and circular services such as Thripunithura-Thevara-Willingdon Island- Thripunithura and Aroor-Thevara-Willingdon Island-Aroor.

Ferry service schedules should be restructured in such a way as to introduce direct and frequent services between Mattancherry and Ernakulam via Willingdon Island; between Fort Kochi Customs Jetty and Ernakulam as well as between Corporation Jetty and Ernakulam. There is also a need to introduce ferry services to all destinations from Thoppumpady which is a terminating point for a large number of buses coming from places like Cherthala, Chellanam and Kannamali.

Suburban MEMU (Main electrical multiple unit) train services need to be introduced to Kochi from all directions. Likewise, the question of electrification of the railway line from Ernakulam to Cochin Harbour Terminus deserves priority consideration, he said.

In the wake of the mega Kochi Port-based projects, the outskirts in the eastern, southern and northern parts of Kochi city have also started developing.

But, even though West Kochi is more connected to Kochi port for a variety of reasons, there are no signs of the benefits of this growth reaching West Kochi. The Kochi Corporation and the State Government with the help of the Centre should develop West Kochi, he said.

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