RailEnquiry

KANNUR: The railway overbridge at Kotti, near Payyannur in Kannur has finally become a reality, and chief minister OommenChandy will open it for traffic on Saturday, putting an end to the long wait of the people.

Though the works of a major part of the bridge as well as the approach roads were completed in time, in March 2012, the commissioning of the bridge got delayed because of the delay in the work of the span over the railway lines, as they were waiting for the clearance from the Railway Safety Commission to get the work done.

Following the concern over the inordinate delay in the commissioning of the bridge even after completing a major portion of the work in time, Kasaragod MP P Karunakaran, who played a major role in getting the over bridge sanctioned, had taken special initiative to get it done immediately.

Once it is opened, this 732.175 metre structure including the approach roads could revolutionize the road connectivity from Ezhimala and other western parts of Payyannur with the National Highway.

The flyover, which cost over Rs 15 crore, has been constructed in 'Y' shape. While one is connected to the road to Ramanthali, which leads to the Indian Naval Academy (INA) Ezhimala, the other goes towards Trikkaripur.

Once opened for traffic, the authorities will also start collecting tolls from the vehicles passing through this flyover.