Kochi Metro: Get, set, go

Giving wings to Kochi Metro dreams, the authorities on Monday waved green flag for the trial run through the reconstructed motor bays of the North Rail Overbridge (RoB) on Monday.

The officials of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), traffic police authorities and other officials concerned monitored the trial run that was conducted between 11 am and 12 noon. 

Buses, cars and other light motor vehicles were allowed through both the bridges. The speed limit through the motor bays is 20 km/hr. However the date for opening the bridges will be finalised later.

The trial run was actually scheduled for last week, but was postponed owing to technical reasons.

“The markings on the bridge need to be completed. Signboards have to be placed. Then the bridge is ready for traffic and the exact date of opening of the side-bays will be finalised soon,” said an official concerned.

Once the motor bays become functional, the main bridge will be demolished. However, the traffic regulations will continue and only buses and cars will be allowed through the new motor bays till the completion of the main bridge.

The reconstruction work of the North RoB began in July 30, 2011

Once the main bridge is constructed the motor bays will be merged with it, forming a four- lane bridge with a total width of 15 metres. In between, the viaducts of the proposed Kochi Metro Rail will come up.

There will be no pedestrian path in the bridge as two foot overbridges will be constructed. The total cost for the reconstruction of North RoB and its motor bays is estimated at `80 crore. The main bridge is expected to be completed within 10 months’ time.

However, the traffic police authorities will have to regulate the traffic strictly and the speed limit as the new motor bays are lengthier and higher than the demolished side-bays, and has only a temporary side wall on one side as it would have to be merged with the main bridge later.

Meanwhile, the DMRC authorities are planning to complete another Metro rail-related work - the construction of new RoB near the KSRTC bus station - by January 2013.