Thuravoor-Pamba highway construction hits roadblock

October 29, 2013

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ALAPPUZHA: The first phase construction of Thuravoor-Pamba state highway hits a roadblock after defects were detected in the construction of Thyckattussery bridge.The iron pillars that were installed for the bridge, were found bent. Following this, Thuravoor-Pamba State Highway Formation Forum on Monday approached the state government demanding an inquiry into the incident.

It was in 2012, the state government began the construction work of Thuravoor-Pamba state highway’s first phase.

A sum of Rs 150 crore was also sanctioned for this purpose. The constructions of Thyckattussery Bridge and Makkekadavu Bridge have been included in the first phase.

In order to start the construction of the state highway, the construction of these two bridges is a must. Once the Thuravoor-Pamba state highway is opened, the transportation facilities especially cargo movement between coastal areas of Alappuzha and high-range areas will be improved.

The high-range people will also get an easy access to Kochi via Alappuzha once this state highway is opened for the traffic.

The alignment of the road will be finalized only after the construction of these two bridges has been completed. In order to construct the bridge, the public works department set aside Rs 49.5 crore and a sum of Rs 2.7 crore was earmarked for the approach road of the bridge.

“The contractor and the engineers of the PWD did the construction of the bridge without any scientific study. So the iron pillars of the bridge bent and sank in the water on Sunday. We have lodged complaints with the all the ministers and the higher officials concerned,” said Sunny Manalel, Formation Forum convener.

“Land acquisition for the construction of the approach road for the bridge has not been completed following the opposition of the local people. The new developments also increased the anxiety of the people. So the government should take immediate action for solving this roadblock,” he demanded.

PWD executive engineer S Sanal said the problem of the bridge will be solved without any delay and the construction will be resumed next week. The weight of the concrete was the reason for the bending, he said.

Source-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com