Thiruvananthapuram: Uncertainty continues over resuming work on the long-delayed Enchakkal flyover, with the contractor seeking an additional Rs 20 crore from National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for works arising from a revised design. NHAI is now planning a meeting with the contractor next week, after which a decision on restarting the works is likely.Cherian Varkey Constructions Ltd, executing the Rs 47 crore project, has sought the funds because the revised works were not part of the original estimate. NHAI must approve a supplementary estimate and enter a fresh contractual arrangement before the contractor can take up the additional works.The issue has once again put the project, which has already faced several delays, in uncertainty. Officials said next week’s meeting is expected to address the financial and contractual aspects and pave the way for a final decision on restarting construction.“The contractor has raised some issues related to the additional payment to execute the remaining works. We are negotiating with them, and the issue will be sorted out next week,” said a senior NHAI official.The flyover was originally scheduled for completion in April this year, but work was held up after NHAI decided to alter the design of the approach structures, replacing the proposed reinforced-earth retaining walls with pillar-supported spans on the northern and southern approaches. The change followed safety concerns over retaining-wall failures reported elsewhere in Kerala.The revised design was approved earlier this year, with NHAI initially indicating the changes would enable construction to resume. The main flyover structure has substantially progressed, but approach structures, roads, drainage, lighting and other ancillary works remain incomplete.The contractor’s latest financial demand has emerged as another hurdle. Since the additional spans were not part of the original estimate, the contractor maintains the extra expenditure needs separate sanction—making the Rs 20-crore demand central to the negotiations.The uncertainty has added to traffic problems at Enchakkal, one of the capital’s busiest junctions, connecting the city centre with Chackai, Pettah, Shanghumugham, the airport, Kovalam and Vizhinjam. Barricading from the construction has narrowed the carriageway, causing long queues at peak hours.The Rs 47 crore flyover, between the Chackai flyover and Muttathara overpass, is meant to ease a major bottleneck on NH 66, expected to improve traffic movement towards the airport, Vizhinjam International Seaport and the city’s southern parts.
