NHAI, GCDA in feet-dragging mode

November 7, 2013

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TNN

KOCHI: Though the rains have come down, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) have continued to renege on their promise to repair the highway on the Vyttila-Aroor stretch and the Kaloor-Kadavanthra road.

While the NHAI is awaiting the approval from their headquarters to start the tender process for carrying out the road milling work on the Aroor-Kumbalam bridge, the GCDA has not yet solved its dispute with contractor over the road repair work.

The Aroor-Kumbalam bridge was closed after its surface was riddled with potholes which posed a threat to motorists. After inspecting the bridge, experts from IIT Madras had suggested breaking up the entire tarred surface of the bridge. Following this, the highway authority had come up with a plan to remove asphalt and concrete the stretch.

“We need the approval from headquarters to proceed with the milling work,” said NHAI project director C T Abraham. It has been pointed out that the regular repair and pothole filling work would be of no use in the present condition.

Meanwhile, NHAI authorities stated that except for the repair work on the bridge, they have completed the tendering process on other damaged stretches and works were being executed.

The highway authority said that they would complete them at the earliest.

GCDA officials said that the body had sought legal opinion to sort out disputes with the contractor. Though the Kaloor-Kadavanthra road was built with a five-year guarantee, the contractor has refused to repair the damaged portions saying that the agreement between him and the authority did not have a clause for executing such works.

“The GCDA will check whether the authority can take up the work independently. A decision in this regard will be announced in a week,” said GCDA chairman N Venugopal.

Brushing aside allegations that the damages on Kathrikadvu overbridge (ROB) have resulted in traffic congestion on the route, he said, “The opening of A L Jacob ROB and the diversion of traffic through the Thammanam-Pulleppady road have increased the movement of vehicles through Kaloor-Kathrikadavu road.”

Source-http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com