Flyover: Test piling likely to start today

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The test piling for the Thakaraparambu flyover is expected to start on Wednesday. The Thiruvananthapuram Road Development Company Limited (TRDCL), concessionaire of the City Road Improvement Project (CRIP), will carry out the test piling on the Power House side. More than 83 piles are needed for the construction of the 510-metre-long flyover. Piling is likely to begin soon after the test, informed the TRDCL authorities. The TRDCL has completed the preliminary works for the construction. Equipment is being shifted to the site. Though shifting of pipes was considered the major hurdle, the TRDCL authorities now say it is not an issue anymore. “There is no need to shift the pipe. It is unused,” Anil Kumar Pandala, project engineer of CRIP, said. Meanwhile, the Thiruvananthapuram Development Authority (TRIDA) is going ahead with the construction of temporary sheds along the Central Theatre Road. As many as 45 traders will be rehabilitated here.Against the original plan, the sheds will be constructed only up to Central Theatre. This  decision was taken considering the demand from the traders in the area, who had urged TRIDA authorities not to close the entire road as it would affect their business.Earlier, the equipment and materials brought to the Central Theatre Road by TRIDA to set up the sheds were attacked allegedly by CPM men in protest against the move to close the Road.The traders will be permanently rehabilitated in the project planned in Attakulangara, where TRIDA will construct a bus stand-cum-shopping complex.Thakaraparambu flyover is part of the first Intermediate Ring Road, which passes through Vellayambalam Junction, Thycaud, Choorakattupalayam, Power House Road, Thakaraparambu Road, Vazhapalli, Kavadi Road, Pettah, Naalumukku, Kannammoola, Law College, PMG, LMS and Museum Junction.Flyovers, along with the Palayam Underpass, are considered the major components in the road network development in the city for ensuring efficient and uninterrupted flow of traffic across MG Road. An expert committee headed by Dr N S Sreenivasan had suggested a flyover at Thakaraparambu after a series of studies in 2002.