Human Rights Commission issues strict directive to connect Chilavanur Bund Road with bypass

The State Human Rights Commission has directed the Principal Secretary of the Local Self Government Department (LSGD) to submit a report within six weeks regarding the delay in connecting Chilavanur Bund Road with the Vyttila-Aroor NH 66 bypass. In an order, Commission Chairperson Alexander Thomas stated that to streamline traffic flow, all obstacles must be removed immediately while widening the 200-metre narrow stretch required to connect this important road corridor with the National Highway bypass.

The work to widen this road corridor began many decades ago, but the delay in widening the 200-metre narrow section is hindering its extension to the National Highway bypass at Thayikkudam. The Human Rights Commission took suo motu cognisance of the matter and, in a meeting held on 17 October, ordered that the stalled work of extending the road towards the east be resumed to reduce traffic pressure on S.A. Road.

Officials including a representative of the District Collector, the Superintending Engineer of Kochi Corporation, and the Town Planner of the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) were present at the meeting. The GCDA, which owns the Bund Road, submitted during the meeting that ₹15 crore would be required to acquire 60 cents of land for the expansion of this area. Additionally, a further ₹5 crore is required to complete the expansion work, necessitating funds from the State Government. The GCDA assured the Commission that a decision would be taken as soon as the new Governing Council of the agency assumes office. The Corporation also made a similar submission, assuring all assistance to complete the road.

The Human Rights Commission has now directed the GCDA to submit its financial statements for the last five years. Furthermore, the LSGD must convene a meeting of the District Collector, GCDA Secretary, and Corporation Secretary within one week to decide on the funding. Steps must also be taken to expedite the process of forming the GCDA Governing Council. The GCDA Secretary will also have to submit an additional report based on this order of the Commission. The next hearing of the Commission will be held on 15 December at the PWD Rest House in Pathadipalam, as stated in the press release.

Earlier, in August, the Commission had directed the Executive Engineers of the GCDA and the Corporation to conduct a joint inspection of the road and submit a report to the District Collector. The Collector was also directed to submit an action plan to the Commission within six weeks, including details such as the estimated time required to complete the road widening work. This Bund Road runs mostly parallel to the congested S.A. Road and has immense potential to reduce traffic pressure on S.A. Road and the Vyttila junction.

The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) was an agency responsible for the development of the Kochi area and owned the Bund Road. The primary objective of this institution was to manage the planning and development works of the city.