EDRAAC peeved at delay in developing diversion routes for Kochi metro’s Kakkanad extension

Dilapidated condition of alternative roads also a concern

Protest is brewing against Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), the State Government and the district administration, since preparatory works to divert traffic when the Civil Line Road is barricaded as part of the metro’s Kakkanad extension have not been finalised.

Most alternative roads through which traffic can be diverted when the metro construction is on are also in a dilapidated condition. Moreover, bottlenecks to smooth movement of vehicles abound on most of the roads, due to encroachments, narrow junctions, and haphazard parking.

The Ernakulam District Residents’ Associations Apex Council (EDRAAC) expressed concern over KMRL, the district administration and the State Government not readying a package to develop alternative roads. “They should have been developed by now, on the lines of preparatory works that were carried out before piling commenced for building the metro viaduct in the Aluva-Maharaja’s College-Pettah corridor. The State Government had back then sanctioned over ₹200 crore for developing alternative roads to divert vehicles and to build or rebuild overbridges at Ernakulam North, Pachalam and near KSRTC bus stand,” said A. Ajithkumar, former general secretary and current executive committee member of EDRAAC.