12 flyovers to come up at Alappuzha-Changanassery road

Thiruvananthapuram/Kottayam: The Pinarayi cabinet has approved the rebuilding of the Alappuzha-Changanassery road along with eight to 12 eco-friendly flyovers that can withstand flooding. The work is expected to cost Rs 350 crore.

The amount will be allotted from the chief minister's relief fund. However, a clear plan for the work is yet to be ready. According to a public works department report, around 12 areas are flood-prone on the 22-km stretch. It is easy for water to enter the road that has small culverts along its way.

Besides, the road being built in place of the Wayanad ghat will get funds from the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB).

Road renovation plan getting ready: Sudhakaran

A renovation plan is being readied to make the Alappuzha-Changanassery road flood-proof, said PWD minister G Sudhakaran on Wednesday.

The tenders for the work will be issued only after the project report is ready, he said. The project will be part of the Rebuild Kerala initiative.

The Rs 350 crore approved by the public works department for the project should be enough for the works. In low-lying areas, flyovers will be built to ensure that roads are not flooded, he added.

The entire stretch need not be a flyover; the bridges at Nedumudy, Pallathuruthy and other areas are high enough to avoid flooding.

Only low-lying roads passing through areas like paddy fields need to be raised. Besides, some bridges will have to be widened in proportion with the road and culverts need to be rebuilt.

According to the estimates of PWD officials, flyovers will be required at 15 places. However, there could be changes in the figure when the final project report arrives, he said.

The works will be carried out by the public works department itself. The World Bank-funded Kerala State Transport Project used to carry out roads works; however, its term is over. The funds for the renovation works were approved by the public works department, the minister said.