T’puram: The construction of the Sreekaryam flyover is expected to move forward after the district administration takes a decision on relocating the Sree Narayana Guru statue at the junction, with the district collector deciding to convene a high-level meeting within two weeks to resolve the issue. With Kerala Water Authority (KWA) having completed the pipeline-related works that had earlier held up the project, relocation of the statue remains the major pending hurdle.The project, being implemented by Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL), has faced delays owing to difficulties in shifting underground water pipelines and uncertainty over relocating the statue, which stands within the proposed project alignment. The statue is located on the proposed service road, making its relocation necessary for completing the remaining preparatory work.A decision on an alternative location for the statue would help clear the remaining obstacle and enable the executing agency to proceed with the next phase of construction.The KWA pipeline issue had been a major impediment, with the water utility’s work affecting the availability of an uninterrupted work front for the flyover contractor. The pipeline-shifting work has now been completed, KMRL officials said, removing one of the principal obstacles that had delayed progress.The focus has consequently shifted to the statue.The Rs 177-crore project is a key infrastructure component of Thiruvananthapuram’s proposed metro rail corridor. The 535m-long, four-lane flyover has been designed with provisions to accommodate metro pillars along its median, allowing the road infrastructure to be integrated with the future mass rapid transit system.The project also includes service roads on either side, along with drainage and utility infrastructure intended to improve traffic movement through Sreekaryam, one of the city’s major congestion points on the route towards Kazhakkoottam and Technopark.
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