Construction work of Vyttila flyover resumes.

Amidst Covid-19 threat, construction activities of Vyttila flyover resumed on Saturday as state government gave green signal to contractors to continue the work. With this, other agencies involved in execution of similar projects have also decided to approach the government seeking permission to restart works. Apart from Vyttila flyover, works of many mega projects like Kundannor flyover and Kochi Metro came to a halt due to the lockdown.

Senior officials with Roads and Bridges Development Corporation-Kerala (RBDCK) informed that they would soon write to the government seeking permission to resume works of flyovers at Kundannoor in Kochi and Edappal in Malappuram. “The weather is favourable for construction works and we can try to execute maximum works before the onset of monsoon,” said a senior officer with RBDCK.

Meanwhile, officials with PWD (NH wing) said that they are cautious about labourers being mobilized for the works. Large-scale movement of labourers, especially guest workers, cannot be encouraged at the construction sites, where sufficient safety and hygiene measures cannot be enforced. “Maintaining safe distance at construction sites is a nearly impossible task. Citizens are being told to stay at home and stay safe. You tell them to frequently wash hands using soap and sanitizers. How frequently or how often can they indulge in such an activity while working at such sites? At construction sites there is every possibility of workers getting cuts and wounds,” said an official. At the site at Vyttila, it is being reported that there are less than 50 workers. If works in the government sector are resumed, contractors undertaken works in the private sector also would come forward demanding relaxations.

PWD (NH wing) said they were keen to complete tarring works on the portions where work has already been completed. Though they want tarring working works to be completed before the onset of monsoon, the high-quality bitumen required for it has to be brought from Gujarat. With the lockdown in force, it will not be possible to bring bitumen to the state.

TOI