THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The work of the new Murinjapalam bridge has been stalled for weeks over the issue of traffic diversion. The bridge was set to be renovated as part of the City Road Improvement Project (CRIP). The existing bridge needs to be demolished for the construction of a new bridge. The Thiruvananthapuram Road Development Company Limited (TRDCL), concessionaire of CRIP, is waiting for a nod from the District Collector for implementing traffic diversion in the area.As many as 40 traffic wardens are needed to work in two shifts in order to execute the traffic diversion. The decision has been pending owing to the confusion over an alternative traffic route. Appointment of traffic wardens was another reason for the delay. Project Engineer of Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB) S Madhava Pillai said that, “a new proposal was submitted to the Collector two days ago. In this proposal, the Road Fund Board had agreed to appoint 30 traffic wardens, and the TRDCL 10. They will work in two shifts,” he said. District Collector M Nandakumar said that he would soon convene a meeting with the Road Fund Board. “I took charge only six days ago. I will immediately take necessary steps regarding the issue. But, first, I have to meet the Road Fund Board officials to know the details of the work. A meeting will be convened soon,” he said.TRDCL project director Anil Kumar Pandala said piling works have been completed for the construction of the new bridge at Murinjapalam. “The remaining works can be taken up only after enforcing the traffic diversion,” he said.The TRDCL is expected to complete the work on the bridge in 200 days. “The existing bridge is in a very bad condition. The piling work has worsened the state of the bridge. It needs to be renovated immediately,” he added.The renovation of Murinjapalam bridge is part of the upgradation of the Pattom - Murinjapalam - Ulloor road. The TRDCL is slated to complete the road works within this month, as the deadline set for the completion of works is November 31.
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