Progress on Thammanam-Pullepady Road Project Stalls Despite Government Efforts
The Thammanam-Pullepady Road project, aimed at four-laning the stretch and extending it to MG Road and the NH Bypass, faces significant delays in land acquisition. Despite several government notifications, the completion of this vital 3.70-km project remains uncertain, leaving traders and stakeholders concerned about the future of MG Road’s commercial activities.
Concerns Over Incomplete Land Acquisition
The latest notification issued by the Revenue (B) department on April 11 includes survey numbers of plots that were previously overlooked. This notification marks another step in the prolonged process that will involve a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) study, a public hearing, and various other procedures.
Deepak Aswani, former Chairman of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Kerala Chapter of Retailers Association of India, expressed dismay over the project’s stagnation after more than 30 years. He highlighted the contribution of the Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) towards constructing a two-lane bridge at Karanakodam to ease congestion, emphasizing the urgent need for the road expansion.
Frustration Among Stakeholders
Ramesh Mathew, a landowner along the corridor, echoed the sentiments of many who have been waiting for the road project since the early 1990s. He expressed frustration over the constant delays in land acquisition, hoping for swift action to kickstart the widening and extension works. With traders on MG Road eagerly awaiting the direct road connectivity from the NH Bypass, the urgency of completing the project is evident.
Rajesh Nair, convenor of the MG Road Merchants’ Association, drew attention to the worsening traffic situation in the city, urging civic and government agencies to work together to expedite the four-lane road project. Mayor M. Anilkumar acknowledged the revival of the project in recent years after a prolonged hiatus, assuring that ground-level work for land acquisition would commence within three months.
Ernakulam MLA T.J. Vinod expressed hope that the road project, envisioned over three decades ago, would finally come to fruition. Despite citing a lack of funds as a primary cause for the delays, he remains optimistic about the eventual completion of the much-needed infrastructure.
As stakeholders continue to voice their concerns and push for progress on the Thammanam-Pullepady Road project, the fate of this crucial infrastructure development hangs in the balance. Stay tuned for further updates on this ongoing saga of bureaucratic hurdles and civic aspirations.
