South Rail Overbridge set for a revamp

South Rail Overbridge (RoB), which remains one of the major reasons for traffic snarls in the city, is all set to go in for a revamp soon as the authorities are planning to reconstruct the bridge and widen it. It is learnt that the state government has already held discussions with the Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) in this regard.

The plan is to include the reconstruction of South RoB among the Kochi Metro Rail related projects. An agency will soon be entrusted with the preparation of a detailed project report (DPR) for reconstructing the South RoB into a four-lane bridge.

According to top officials, the decision to reconstruct the South RoB came in the wake of the necessity to improve the infrastructure facilities in connection with the proposed Kochi Metro Rail. “At the time of the commissioning of Metro rail project, the authorities are also planning to find a permanent solution to the transportation woes of the city. The government is seriously considering the reconstruction of the RoB before the completion of the Kochi Metro Rail because once the Metro Rail is commissioned, it will be difficult to carry out any major construction work like widening of South RoB. Not only South ROB, the authorities are keen to complete all the major infrastructure projects before the completion of the Metro Rail,” the official said.

Though the Corporation has completed the widening of Sahodaran Ayyappan Road, which connects the national highway with MG Road, the desired result is yet to be achieved because of the narrow South RoB. The RoB witnesses heavy traffic congestion especially during peak hours. Though the previous government had considered the widening of South RoB, the project did not materialise. The Kerala Road Fund Board decided to invite tenders for the reconstruction, but it failed to take the proceedings further.

Two major Metro Rail-related works, the reconstruction of North RoB and new RoB at Salim Rajan implemented by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), are progressing at a rapid pace. The authorities are also planning to entrust DMRC with the re-construction of South RoB too.