KOCHI: The bridge constructed parallel to the second Goshree Bridge is expected to be opened for traffic in June. The bridge was constructed as part of the four-lane highway connecting the Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal(ICTT) with Kalamassery.Once the bridge is opened for traffic, the Rail Vikas Nigam Limited can start the work of the elevation and extension of the existing Goshree Bridge to convert it into a rail overbridge. At present, there is a level cross at the end of the bridge at Vallarpadam to enable the movement of trains carrying containers to the ICTT. Traffic on the existing bridge has to be diverted to the new bridge to resume the extension work. Though the bridge is ready, the construction of two lanes of the highway would be completed only by May 2014, said a top official of Soma Enterprises Limited, the company which undertakes the construction of the road. “Non-availability of soil is the present crisis we face. We had been operating a quarry at Pepathy, near Piravom, which we had to close down following the local protest,” he said.“What remains to be done is the two-lane stretch starting from Moolampilly to Vallarpadam. We have done second phase surcharge loading (soiling) on the remaining stretch of reclaimed land and now we have to wait for another six months to make the ground ready for construction,” the official said. Two-lane stretch of the road was commissioned considering the emergency situation at the time of commissioning of ICTT in February 2011. The 17.2-km-long road (NH 47-C), starting from Kalamassery connects the ICTT with NH-17 and NH 47.There are 12 bridges on the highway which connect islands such as Moolampilly and Kothad. The road also provides an easy access to the people of Mulavukad, Moolampilly, Kothad, Cheranelloor and Eloor areas to the city.
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