Kochi: The
much-delayed Thammanam-Pullepady road widening got the final push with
District Collector P.I.Sheik Pareeth submitting the final project layout
for the approval of the Corporation Council.

“We’ve
reduced the widening to 18 metres in the 350-metre stretch from Padma Jn
to Pullepady bridge so as to reduce the land acquisition cost and
hasten the process. However, in the remaining section, we’ll go for 22
metres as planned earlier. The final layout has been prepared and
submitted for the council’s nod,” said the District Collector.

The
prohibitive land acquisition cost, expected to cross Rs 100 cr, is the
biggest hurdle in implementing the project whereas the road construction
is estimated to cost just Rs 15 cr.

“I’ve been allocated Rs 25 cr more which is grossly inadequate. But we’re determined to start the process,” the collector said.

Currently,
the straight road runs from Thammanam to the Pullepady bridge. The
350-metre stretch is being acquired in full so as to connect it to MG
Road. Similarly, the eastern side will also be linked with the
Palarivattom-Vytilla NH by-pass.

Only 94 owners have agreed to
surrender their land while another 222 plots have to be acquired for
realizing the project. Nearly 20 acres will have to be acquired for road
widening and rehabilitation. While 10 acres will be used for widening
activities, the remaining will be utilized for the rehabilitation
process.