Sreekaryam flyover: CM flags project lapses, warns of cost escalation

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan attributed the delay in the construction of the Sreekaryam flyover in Thiruvananthapuram to serious lapses in project execution and warned that the delay could lead to additional expenditure of crores of rupees from the State exchequer.

Responding to a submission raised by V. Muraleedharan, MLA in the Keralam Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, Mr. Satheesan alleged the project had been inaugurated by the previous government in January 2025 without the necessary approved plans and designs being finalised. He also criticised the delay in preparing the drawings and detailed designs, despite a design agency having been entrusted with the work in June 2023.

The Chief Minister said the Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), the implementing agency, has initiated tender procedures to appoint a new design agency after deciding to remove the existing agency.

According to him, steps have been initiated to address the pending utility-related works. The Kerala Water Authority has been directed to complete the work of connecting newly installed pipelines with the existing network by October 30. Pressure testing of 700-mm-diameter pipelines was also under way.

Besides, the relocation of the Sree Narayana Guru memorial and the Ayyankali statue at Sreekaryam junction was pending. The District Collector was coordinating the necessary efforts to expedite the process.

Projecting the delay as “another example” of the alleged failures associated with KIIFB-funded projects, Mr. Satheesan questioned the decision to entrust the project to an agency other than the Public Works Department (PWD).

Mr. Muraleedharan, while raising the issue, pointed out that the project had been envisaged as part of the metro corridor and that land acquisition had cost nearly ₹98 crore, while around ₹72 crore had been earmarked for construction.

Responding to another submission raised by Kovalam, MLA M. Vincent regarding the proposed railway overbridge at Balaramapuram, the Chief Minister informed the Assembly that the project was still awaiting the final Detailed Project Report (DRP), despite receiving administrative sanction in 2018.

The project had been delayed by repeated revisions to the DPR. He said the project consultant, HITES, had submitted a draft DPR on October 23, which was returned the next day seeking corrections.

According to Mr. Vincent, the project has been pending for eight years and that the closure of the railway level crossing caused long queues of vehicles, inconveniencing the public and sometimes leaving ambulances stuck in traffic.