Title - Delay in completion of Ponnurunni railway overbridge irks Kochi corporation

KOCHI: City corporation has expressed its displeasure over Roads and Bridges Development Corporation's-Kerala (RBDC-K) inability to complete the construction of Ponnurunni railway overbridge (ROB) on time. Though the agency had informed that they would complete the work by June 30, the firm has not begun construction works over the track and approach road near Vyttila."As RBDC-K is not in favour of using pre-fabricated girders for construction activities above the track, there would be further delays. We are not sure whether Southern railway would be willing to provide line block to facilitate work at the site," said a senior official with Kochi corporation.RBDC-K proceeded with the work of 624.466m-long ROB in April 2011 and Cherian Varkey Construction Company Pvt Ltd was awarded the tender to execute the work. Corporation said the delay would lead to cost escalation.Civic body officials visited the site recently to evaluate the progress of work. The speedy completion of the ROB has become an immediate concern as Metro works are progressing quickly. The ROB is expected to decongest the busy Palarivattom circle and Pipeline Junction on national highway by opening a route linking Palarivattom and Vyttila through Thammanam.

Meanwhile, RBDC-K has stated that they would be able to complete the work by December.

"Work on approach road at Vyttila and a portion above train track is progressing," said project manager Moshim Backer.

He said RBDC-K has obtained all required sanctions and the commissioner of railway safety (CRS) has given permission to carry out construction works. The agency said that though they wanted to fall in line with the accepted practice of using pre-fabricated girders for construction of ROBs, the option was ruled out as there was no adequate space at the site to launch the steel girders above the track.