Encroachers stall NMT projects on two arterial roads in Kochi

KMRL's NMT project on Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road faces delays due to encroachments, utility posts, and civic agency issues.

An ambitious project by Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) to redevelop footpaths and drains on the arterial Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road and S.A. Road is hanging fire due to hassles posed by encroachers and the delay in relocation of cable posts.

The metro agency launched the Agence Française de Développement (AFD)-funded project as part of a ₹111-crore initiative to improve non-motorised transport (NMT) along the Aluva-Thripunithura metro corridor, including key arterial roads like Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road.

Metro sources said a significant portion of the NMT project along S.A. Road had been completed. However, footpath and drain redevelopment near Vyttila had been delayed due to encroachments. They added that the project in areas like Kadavanthra remained incomplete because of delays in clearing utility posts and other materials. Despite written requests sent to the Kochi Corporation to remove encroachments and obstacles from the road corridor it owns, the situation had not improved.

A drive through Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road, owned by the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA), reveals a more serious situation, with numerous shops and establishments either encroaching upon footpaths or displaying their goods on them, forcing pedestrians to walk on the road. “Besides, shops near Kathrikadavu Junction are using the space over a canal for parking, which has disrupted the flow of water in the newly rebuilt drains,” sources said.

The initial deadline for completing the NMT project was March 2024, but it was extended to November of the same year. However, the alleged delays by the two civic agencies in clearing encroachments have left the project unfinished. This led to the decision to terminate the contract, as continuing it could have resulted in paying commitment charges (interest) to AFD, if the deadline were revised again, they added.

There is also an alleged delay in relocating cable posts from the footpaths on Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road, despite the matter being raised with the stakeholders concerned. Over time, the Kerala State Electricity Board and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited have relocated their posts, which were obstructing pedestrians’ movement.

Regarding the poor condition of many footpath stretches along the Aluva-Thripunithura corridor due to inadequate upkeep, metro sources said the funding provided by AFD was a one-time allocation for developing NMT corridors for phase one of the metro project. “It is the responsibility of local bodies to maintain footpaths,” they added.