Kannur, Kerala – As the summer heat subsides and monsoon showers arrive over Kerala, the state is grappling with a different kind of storm: delays in construction of road flyovers approved by Indian Railways. According to reports, only 20 out of the 137 planned flyovers are under construction, with even those approved a decade ago yet to commence work.
The primary reasons for these delays are reportedly issues with blueprint finalization and land acquisition by the state government. These bottlenecks have resulted in prolonged traffic congestion at railway gates, causing inconvenience for commuters and emergency services like ambulances.
Indian Railways has offered a 100% subsidy for the construction of 39 new road overbridges (ROBs), yet progress on these projects remains stalled due to the aforementioned delays. The state government’s slow pace in acquiring land and finalizing blueprints has become a cause for concern, as the completion of these flyovers is crucial for improving traffic flow and safety in Kerala.
This situation comes at a time when the Kerala government is actively seeking to modernize its infrastructure to better serve its growing population and boost economic development. The delays in railway infrastructure projects could potentially hinder these efforts, leading to increased congestion and potential public discontent.
As the dust settles on the current monsoon season, it remains to be seen how the Kerala government will address these issues and expedite the construction of these much-needed road flyovers. Meanwhile, commuters and emergency services continue to navigate through traffic congestion, hoping for a smoother journey ahead.
