Benefits of a Flyover (on pillars) over an Underpass  (VUP)

Koratty is a township that lies at the centre of Kerala state. It has much potential for growth owing to its proximity to the International Airport, Railway and the Highway. And it has 3 major vacant government property awaiting projects.

I. Industries and projects

1.       Koratty is already a victim of lack of planning. An unscientific railway overbridge has a very abnormal landing into the Koratty junction. The turning radius offered for vehicles entering from the south through the service road on to the ROB is acute and renders it impossible for long body vehicles to turn. At present they are able to make the turn only because they are turning from the main road on to the ROB. In case of an underpass, long vehicles will not be able to turn from the service road.

2.       Infopark, Koratty: A green extension of the Infopark, Kochi. The adjoining nearly 70 acres of land which was once the Madura Coats offers a huge expansion possibility for the Koratty Infopark. At present it has an employee count of 4000 and growing. It is gaining advantage as it is closer to the airport and devoid of the traffic congestion in Kochi.

3.       Kinfra Koratty: Has more than 40 companies with a total employee strength of 3000 and counting.

4.       Carborundum Universal Ltd and many more industries in that area, Nitta Gelatin India Ltd are major companies in Koratty. 

5.       Besides, huge projects are envisioned at the 70 acres of Govt of India Press land adjoining the Highway. Another 100 acres at the Gandhigram Hospital and the 70 acres at Madura Coats. 

II. Educational Institutions

Two major Schools that has a strength of 2000+ students each are situated on either side of the highway at Koratty. Two Engineering Colleges, SCMS and FISAT are in the nieghbourhood. Taking into account all the other educational institutions in the proximity, at least 4000 students has to traverse this junction each day. One could imagine the danger of having to cross the underpass through a maze of vehicles going crisscross without any traffic lights. They are more safe now because there is a signal crossing at the Junction now.

III. Pilgrim Centre

Korattymuthy Church attracts millions of pilgrims throughout the year. Besides, during the feast in the month of October alone nearly 20 lakh people visit the church. During these days now itself we witness a 5km long traffic block. Imagine what would happen when the traffic inflow is restricted to 2 congested service roads.  

IV. Parking space

Koratty is suffering from a lack of parking space. The taxi stand and auto stand positioned at the junction will have no place for parking in case of an underpass. But if this is a flyover on pillars, there will be ample parking space below it.

V. Wide service road

In case of a flyover, there will be space for a wider service road.

VI. Landfill earth

We witnessed the delay in the construction of an underpass at Chalakudy (5 km from Koratty) It took more than 5 years to complete and one of the reasons was non-availability of earth for filling. It is understood that atleast 75,000 loads of earth will be needed for the 3 underpasses situated within a distance of less than 5 km. 

Availability of earth for filling is very difficult in the neighbourhood. A load costs nearly Rs.1500 for a normal tipper. And there is always local resistance to the movement of earth as the tipper lorries carrying this load destroys the roads and bridges and causes a lot of accidents. So people here are against this. We witnessed the same at Chalakudy underpass which was delayed by 5 years. 

Besides, the environmental damage is huge. Koratty alone will need 1,50,000 cubic meters of earth. Adding the other two underpasses at Muringoor and Chirangara, which comes within 5 kms, the impact will be huge. 

If the work of all these underpasses stall due to the availability of earth, the movement of traffic will be a serious issue. One can imagine a delay of 20-30 mins at each construction site. And Kerala has always been testimony to such stalled projects. 

VII. Expansion to 6-lane

The upgradation of the existing highway is imminent. It is understood that the survey and alignment is all complete and the tender will be invited soon. If this is so, then why the hurry in making the underpasses now. Why not avoid a double work.

VIII. Roller-coaster ride

The 3 underpasses at Muringoor, Koratty and Chirangara comes within a distance of 4.6km. 3 underpasses within such a short distance will be like riding a wave. It will be unscientific to have such an anomaly at an important highway like NH544. This stretch of highway from Ambalur to Angamaly belongs to the country’s top 10 busiest highway segments.

The total distance of the approach roads with the barricades will be nearly 1.5 kms for each underpass which means 90% of the highway will be approach roads to the underpasses. If so, why not consider an elevated highway for this stretch. The whole place is densely populated and full of establishments on either sides. 

Due to these reasons, we urge you to upgrade the proposed underpass to an overbridge on pillars.

The consquence of this underpass will affect the entire panchayats of Koratty, Meloor, Annamanada and Kadukutty as a whole which has a total population of more than 2 lakh.