Pattom-Plamood flyover: Social impact assessment to begin soon

Thiruvananthapuram: Though the discussion on the proposed light metro has taken a backseat, construction flyovers as part of the mega project are progressing at various levels. The district administration has assigned Kochi-based Rajagiri Outreach for social impact assessment (SIA) for the proposed Pattom-Plamoodu flyover, which is over 1km long. Sources said the firm would start the survey soon.
Ulloor and Sreekaryam flyovers are the other two structures, proposed as part of the light metro project.
As per the original proposal submitted by interim consultant Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (DMRC), a flyover was proposed to bypass the crowded Pattom Junction. Later, a technical committee suggested extension of the flyover till Plamoodu, and thereby sparing several shops on either sides of Pattom-Plamoodu Road from demolition. Thus the length of the flyover almost doubled from the original 570m.
Institute of Rural Development (IRA), which has preparing SIA for Ulloor flyover project has submitted a draft report regarding land acquisition. The public hearing conducted by IRA in January has witnessed opposition from a large section of land owners, who voiced for equidistance acquisition. As per the detailed project report (DPR), the light metro will pass through the centre of the road and take a deviation at Ulloor Junction to the Kesavadasapuram side, while the flyover will head straight to the Medical College side. Due to the presence of light metro, more land has to be acquired on the right side of the Ulloor-Medical College stretch. The SIA is expected to include all concerns of the land owners in their final report, which is expected to be released this month.
After issuing the preliminary notification for land acquisition for Sreekaryam flyover, the district administration is progressing with survey works. It is facing opposition from Sreekaryam Jamaat for acquiring a portion of its land.
Meanwhile, the fate of light metro project remains unambiguous. The supplement to DPR submitted by DMRC in December 2017 is yet to be forwarded to the Union government. A secretary-level committee had reviewed the report in October 2018, but it is yet to be discussed in the cabinet.