Land hurdles likely to delay Venjaramoodu flyover benefits

T'puram: Venjaramoodu flyover project, aimed at easing long-standing traffic congestion on the busy MC Road stretch, is progressing, but pending land acquisition and unfinished service roads may delay commuters from fully benefiting from the infrastructure even after the flyover is completed.According to officials of Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB), around Rs 5 crore would be required to acquire additional land and carry out related works needed to make service roads fully operational. The matter has already been brought to the attention of the state govt.The first phase of construction, including the erection of 10 concrete pillars of the flyover, has been completed. Work on the approach roads is progressing, while installation of beams on the pillars is also under way. In addition, a service road is being constructed on the western side of the flyover to facilitate the movement of local vehicles.However, officials said several obstacles remain before the service roads can become fully functional. The width of the service roads is insufficient at multiple points, while electricity posts and transformers located along the stretch need to be shifted. Additional land would have to be acquired to widen the service roads. Although measurements and mapping of adjacent land have been completed, further procedures related to land acquisition have not yet begun, sources said."The state govt has been informed about the situation. If the govt decides to proceed with land acquisition, estimates and further procedures for acquiring land will begin," a KRFB official said.