Business folks a worried lot

KOCHI: The business fraternity in the city is  much concerned over the dismantling of North overbridge as the festive season of Onam and Ramzan is approaching. The business people of the opinion that demolishing the bridge at this point of time will affect the sales expected to zoom during the festive season beginning next month. Representatives of the majority of trade organisations said that they cannot support the project because of the damage the construction phase would do to city businesses.The office-bearers of these associations had already stated that the traders had a long-standing policy of promoting public transport projects in the city. “The Centre is yet to give the nod for the Metro rail project. But the authorities are planning to launch the Metro-related projects even before obtaining the sanction for the metro rail,” said K M Abdullah, former chairman of Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).He said the demolition of North overbridge would not only affect the business volume but also increase the travelling woes of the public. “In the good times we saw the merit of the metro. But the after-effects of demolishing the bridge without completing the work of flyover at Salim Rajan Road and widening of the Thammanam-Pulleppady road will be devastating,” said Abdullah.He said that the various trade forums had already expressed their concern over the demolition of the North overbridge at a meeting held last month. “Even the Corporation Council had passed a resolution demanding that the North overbridge be demolished only after completing the widening of the Thammanam-Pulleppady road. But the council has with drawn the resolution and given the green signal,” said Abdullah.Another question is whether the city can afford a five-year construction project. “It is not only the concern over the volume of business but also the day-to-day affairs of the public. From students who have to go to  school to employees commuting across the city, everyone will be affected. So the bridge should only be demolished after studying whether the alternative arrangements are feasible or not. Mere traffic diversion will not help,” he said.