Delay in State sanctions leaves foot overbridge projects hanging fire.

Proposals by different agencies to set up foot overbridges in different parts of the city are gathering dust, despite vulnerability of pedestrians crossing the road.

An example is a foot overbridge proposed at Menaka corridor by the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA). 'The Rs. 2.75-crore project involved constructing a steel foot overbridge, which could be accessed through escalators on each side. Though PWD which owns the road gave the nod early this year, State Government's administrative sanction is getting delayed because of a few officials at the Government Secretariat,' said N. Venugopal, chairman of GCDA.

'The State Government will not have to bear any expense for the project since GCDA has funds for the project. Maintenance cost, too, will be minimal since the structure is made of steel. We had to approach the Government since any project costing over Rs. 50 lakh needs its sanction.'

GCDA has readied another proposal for an extended foot overbridge built over the footpath in the M.G. Road-High Court-KINCO Boat Jetty stretch. 'Pedestrians would be able to access it from either side through escalators,' Mr Venugopal said.

The proposal to build a foot overbridge at congested Kaloor Junction too is hanging fire.


THE HINDU