Palarivattom bridge reconstruction work starts

Kochi: Monday morning saw the demolition of the Palarivattom flyover and it is hoped, going by authorities, a new structure would be up and ready in nine months.

After series of official inspection, enquiry into graft and court's interventions, the flyover was closed before it was three years into its operation, following development of critical cracks in the structure.

AP Pramod, engineer in charge of the project now being undertaken by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, (DMRC) and with the technical consultation of metroman E Sreedharan, said that to start with, the tarmac would be removed in three days, followed by concrete beams. Pier caps would be strengthened and new beams caste and the estimated completion time for the project is nine months.

The Kerala government had approached the apex court after the High Court ordered that a load test should be conducted before a decision was taken to demolish the flyover.

The apex court, however, allowed the state to reconstruct the flyover, taking into account the public safety aspect. The state government roped in Metro Man E Sreedharan to oversee the reconstruction, which would be done by the Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS) Ltd.

The Vigilance and Anti Corruption Bureau (VACB) is in the final stages of its probe into the alleged graft paid in the flyover construction.

Built at a cost of Rs 42 crore during then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy's tenure, the 750-metre flyover was supposed to last over 100 years. It was opened in October 2016.

Four accused were arrested in the case, who are now on bail.

In the dock is former Public Works Department Minister Ebrahim Kunju, currently a senior legislator of Indian Union Muslim League, who has been questioned by the VACB a few times.

(With input from IANS)