The Kochi Corporation has approved widening of the
Vaduthala-Pachalam Road considering the frequent accidents happening
on the narrow roads in the area. The 23 residents’ association at
Vaduthala had submitted a mass petition regarding the issue two months
ago.
The suggestion to widen the road was mooted and approved at
the council meeting held the other day. The traffic congestion and
accidents on the narrow road became a cause of concern after new bus
services were allotted.
The bus services were allotted as part of the traffic rearrangement necessitated owing to Metro Rail constructions.
The nod was given to widen the stretch from Vaduthala Railway Gate to Pachalam Junction.
Mayor
Tony Chammany announced that Hibi Eden MLA is willing to associate with
the project. “The widening will benefit the people coming to the city
from Vaduthala. Hibi Eden has expressed willingness to allot Rs 5 lakh
for the widening. So, the Corporation will have to find money just for
the land acquisition,” said the Mayor.
However, the authorities
concerned said the Corporation may have to incur a huge financial burden
for the widening. At present, as the Corporation is in a financial
crunch, this might be next to impossible.
“Around Rs 1 crore will
be needed for land acquisition and rehabilitation as part of the road
widening. So, we have suggested widening the road as part of the
construction of Vaduthala Railway Over Bridge. Only an onsite visit will
only give an idea about how the ROB can be redesigned,” said Town
Planning Committee chairperson K J Sohan.
The secretary of
Ernakulam District Residents Association Apex Council (EDRAAC) P N
Soman, under whom the associations submitted a signature campaign to
highlight road development, said the decision is a welcome sign.
However, he said, the Vaduthala junction road widening was only one of
the issues which was addressed by the Corporation.
“The three
roads reaching Vaduthala from the south enters into a bottleneck
junction. Once the Railway gate closes down, this part will be
completely congested making it difficult for both commuters and
pedestrians. Even ambulance get stranded in the traffic chaos,” said
Soman.
