Kochi Metro Rail works on SA Road yet to take off

Kochi Metro Rail works on SA Road yet to take off

Kerala Water Authority has not completed pipeline shifting works along SA Road

Kochi:  Kerala Water Authority (KWA) has not fixed a deadline to complete pipeline shifting works along SA Road, though DMRC is keen to commence Kochi Metro’s civil works in the Kadavanthra-Vyttila stretch.

“We can begin civil works only if KWA relocates water pipelines from the road’s centre to the side. The dug up portion on the side will have to be levelled and tar-coated or concreted to ensure availability of wider road, prior to barricading metro work sites. KWA is unable to complete the works that ought to have ended early this year. Though we are unable to begin civil works, soil testing is under way so that piling can begin at short notice,” DMRC sources said.

Elamkulam station

On whether delay in metro works – especially inability to begin civil works for Elamkulam metro station – can be compensated for, they said all depended on KWA’s ability to complete pipeline works. Moreover, Vyttila junction’s bell mouth on eastern side might have to be widened to ensure smooth movement of vehicles when barricades are put up. Currently, metro works on the 3-km-long SA Road are confined to the 500-metre-long Manorama Junction-Kadavanthra stretch.

KWA’s promise

Kochi Metro Rail Limited sources said KWA had promised to complete pipe-laying works in another 10 days and work was being done during night as well. “Their works suffered a setback following a Vigilance probe.”

A senior KWA official said the agency had convened a meeting on Wednesday, where a decision on fast-tracking pending works and probing laxity, if any, by officials or contractors would be discussed. “As of now, we have not fixed a deadline for our works,” he said.

But for Jos Junction-South Railway Station Road, SA Road and yet-to-be-widened Vytilla-Pettah Road, metro works are progressing as scheduled in other stretches

Source: Railnews