Kochi Metro Rail: GCDA hands over land to DMRC

KOCHI: Marking the beginning of preparatory works of Kochi Metro Rail project, the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) has handed over Manappattiparambu for the initial works of reconstruction of the North railway overbridge (ROB).At a programme held on Friday, GCDA Secretary George Vallakkalil handed over the land to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).The DMRC will use the 2.8 acre land for casting girders and also for storing the machines for the reconstruction. The machines will be brought to Manappattiparambu on Saturday.On Monday, the land owned by the KSRTC will be handed over to the DMRC. It will be used for facilitating the construction works of the flyover on Salim Rajan road.The flyover connecting Salim Rajan road and Mullassery canal road will help ease the traffic in the city to some extent. City Police Commissioner Ajith Kumar has submitted the suggestions regarding the traffic regulations in the backdrop of the construction works.According to the suggestions, the bylanes in the city should be repaired and the traffic should be diverted through them.On June 17, Excise Minister K Babu will convene a meeting of all the parties concerned to discuss the traffic regulations and rehabilitation of the traders to be evicted from the premises of ROB. DMRC Project Director P Sreeram has handed over the design of the metro rail to the District Collector.The first phase of the works is expected to be complete within 18 months. It was in March, 2011 that the state government sanctioned the funds for the preparatory works.Union Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies K V Thomas, Mayor Tony Chammany, Hibi Eden MLA and District Collector P I Sheik Pareedh were also present on the occasion.