Title - Resident associations want toll at Pullepady rail overbridge scrapped

KOCHI: City residents' associations are feeling let down, and not without reason. Though the district administration and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) agreed to start construction of Kochi Metro on MG Road only after Onam, residents feel that the authorities had failed to resolve their major grievances at the meeting held on Saturday, including those related to parking, the diversion of traffic, toll at Pullepady rail overbridge (ROB) and the widening of approach roads to the bridge.The Ernakulam District Resident Association Apex Council (EDRAAC) said they have decided to give a written appeal to the collector citing these issues. According to EDRAAC president Rangadasa Prabhu, when the Metro work moves into top gear on MG Road it will be difficult to divert traffic through the ROB without doing away with the toll system and the booth at Pulleppady ROB. They want the collector to remove the toll booth.

Though DMRC has provided an assurance to maintain a one-lane traffic on both sides of MG Road during construction, the association wanted the authority to divert buses through other routes.

"When buses halt at bus bays it will block other vehicles and lead to traffic jams," said Prabhu. Since it has been decided not to allow parking on the stretch between Madhava Pharmacy Junction and Jos Junction on MG Road, the district administration and police should clarify where people should park their vehicles. EDRAAC also wants district administration to announce a concrete plan for widening the approach roads to Pulleppady ROB.

Meanwhile, Kochi Metro officials said that they would only be able to complete the work on MG Road in six months if it's considered as a single stretch. The merchant community has agreed to the plan as of now. "Kochi Metro hopes the civil society will understand the situation and help us meet the deadlines," said an official associated with the project.

Following request from traders and merchants, citing the high volume of sales during Onam and Ramzan, DMRC had agreed to start construction along MG Road on September 19.