Metro work only after road widening: NHAI

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Looks like it’s not going to be a smooth ride for the implementing agency of the Kochi metro project, with the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) insisting that the viaduct work along the Aluva-Edappally route would be permitted only after the stretch is widened.

The MoU handing over the metro project to DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation) is expected to be considered in the next KMRL board meeting scheduled on October 19.

The agency then plans to commence the main work of setting up the viaduct in the Aluva-Jawaharlal Nehru stadium stretch, without further delay.

“If the main work is started without first widening the road, it would result in congestion along the highway and a great deal of protest. We’ve no option but to complete the widening on both sides by up to three metres”, said NHAI project director C.T. Abraham.

However, the process would take time as land acquisition has not yet been completed. “Besides, all electric poles have to be relocated”, he said.

However, sources said the DMRC hopes to simultaneously take up road widening and the main metro work to minimize any delay. “We cannot comment on the issue right now as we’re yet to get the project officially”, said DMRC project director P. Sriram.