Kerala Public Works Department (PWD) Minister G Sudhakaran announced on Monday that the Vyttila and Kundannoor flyovers would be opening for the public by January 2021.
Sharing the news on his official Facebook account, Sudhakaran said that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan would be inaugurating both flyovers on early January. The Vyttila flyover — costing Rs 86.34 Crore — and the Kundannoor flyover — costing Rs 82.74 Crore — are nearing completion. Both flyovers are being constructed with the full financial assistance of Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), Sudhakaran’s post says.
“During the United Democratic Fund (UDF) government, the funds were not allocated for the projects. The foundation was laid but neither any tenders were invited nor any action was taken to start the construction work of the two flyovers,” Sudhakaran says in his post, adding that the Vijayan government agreed to implement these projects by giving administrative and technical approval to KIIFB. The flyovers, which are part of the National Highway, are fully funded by the state government. The overpass will be opened to ease the traffic congestion at Vyttila and Kundannoor.
The initial plan was to complete construction of Vyttila flyover by May 2019 and Kundannoor flyover by March 2020. The state government had to keep pushing the opening date of both flyovers for months due to various circumstances.
The government wanted to ensure that a situation akin to Palarivattom flyover does not arise again. On December 1, 2020, the Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala had asked IIT Madras’ structural engineering experts to carry out a load test for Vyttila and Kundannoor flyovers. To verify a flyover's structural stability and strength, a load test is mandatory. Only then can the flyover be used by the public.