KOCHI: Better road connectivity still remains a distant dream for the residents of Edakochi as the Kochi Corporation is yet to initiate steps to implement the project to construct Kannanghat-Island bridge. The bridge was proposed to connect the Edakochi-Kannanghat Road with Willingdon Island thereby offering a shortcut to the city. Once the bridge is constructed, the people of Edakochi will be able to save up to 6 km of travelling time to reach the city.Though the Kerala Industrial and Technical Consultancy Organisation (KITCO) has initiated steps to prepare the detailed project report (DPR) of the bridge, it is learnt that the agency is yet to complete the work as the Corporation failed to settle the dues towards the DPR related works.“As a preliminary step, an agency, Geotek, had conducted a soil test. Later, KITCO conducted a survey and a DPR of the project was almost completed. The project report was to be submitted by April 2010 itself. But the delay in settlement has slowed down the work. No further steps were taken by the Corporation to carry the project forward,” sources from KITCO said. As per the original plan, the construction of the Rs 60 crore bridge will be included in the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) projects. “With the term of the first phase of the JNNURM projects ending this year, the possible move is to include the project in the second phase starting in 2012. But for that, DPR has to be submitted before the Centre for technical clearance,” said a top Corporation official.However, an amount of Rs 10 crore was allocated in this year’s state budget for the construction of the bridge. The Kochi Corporation budget in 2009-10 has also allocated funds for the land acquisition of the project. Once completed, the bridge will be an added advantage not only to the residents of Edakochi but also to the commuters coming to Kochi from the southern part of the state. At present, vehicles coming from Alappuzha have to travel 10.5 km on Bypass and 11.5 km via Thoppumpady. If Edakochi is linked to Willingdon Island, the distance will be reduced by 6 km.
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