Departmental discord delays Chirayinkeezhu ROB works

T'puram: The long-standing demand for a railway overbridge (ROB) at Chirayinkeezhu has hit another roadblock due to lack of coordination among various departments. Though Roads and Bridges Development Corporation Kerala (RBDCK), the implementing agency, has assured that the bridge will be opened by March 31, with only 80% of the work finished, residents remain doubtful.
Frustrated by the repeated delays, local residents have launched a campaign demanding the immediate completion of the project.
The construction of the overbridge officially began in 2021, but frequent disruptions, including delays in utility shifting and frequent bursting of drinking water pipelines, hampered the work progress. The overbridge, located on the Chirayinkeezhu-Kadakkavoor Road, is expected to function as a crucial link across the Thiruvananthapuram-Kollam rail route. However, until it is completed, commuters are forced to wait at two railway gates at Sharkara and Manjadimoodu for long periods, causing significant delays.
The situation was particularly difficult for residents from Anchuthengu who travel to the Chirayinkeezhu taluk hospital.
Several key tasks remain unfinished, including major work by the railways. Joy Pushpa, a local shop owner, blamed the lack of coordination among KSEB, PWD and the water authority officials for the delay.
He pointed out that the construction of service roads is also incomplete.
According to Sudevan Keleshwaran, a retired civil engineer and local resident, the authorities have turned a blind eye to the development in the area. "At this pace, the completion of this project will take at least six months. It can be completed within 30 days if the govt has the will power," he said.
Meanwhile, railway officials said that they will begin the pending work, which they claimed would take only four to five days to finish, after RBDCK completes their assigned works. Meanwhile, RBDCK officials remained unavailable for comment.
Works completed: Construction of four pillars in front of the taluk hospital is nearly complete and work on securing girders on them is also in its final stages. The side walls and approach road on one side are under construction.
Steel girders have been installed on nine pillars, except the four that still require work from the railways.