Kochi: The Kundannoor and Vyttila flyovers along the national highway bypass in Kochi was on Saturday thrown open to the public.
The flyovers, which are expected to decongest traffic through the national highway bypass and significantly reduce travel time, cost nearly ₹152 crore.
Officials claimed the estimated cost to construct the structures was above ₹165 core, but the projects were completed at below that sum.
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan opened both the flyovers that lie along the national highway bypass in separate, virtually organized events.
Vijayan said the construction of the flyovers could be completed only because of the government’s determination.
Both projects were completed after overcoming crises, including floods in consecutive years, natural disasters such as ‘Okhi’ and the outbreak of Nipah and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chief minister Vijayan had inaugurated the construction of the Vyttila flyover on 11 December 2017.
The government technically sanctioned ₹85.90 crore for building the structure, but it finally cost ₹78.36 crore, a saving of ₹7.54 crore.
Similarly, the Kundannoor flyover was constructed at a cost of ₹74.45 crore, against the technical sanction of ₹82.74 crore, resulting in a saving of ₹8.29 crore.
Combined, the state has saved close to ₹16 crore (₹15.83 crore, to be exact).
The road infrastructure was constructed under the supervision of the state public works department (PWD) department and National Highway authorities.
Vijayan, meanwhile, slammed the people who reportedly tried to open the flyovers, allowing traffic through flyovers a few days ago.
The chief minister said their intention was to create trouble for gaining cheap publicity.
A few activists of an outfit called V4Kochi were taken into police custody in connection with the incident.
State PWD minister G Sudhakaran, MLAs, member of Parliament Hibi Eden and representatives of local bodies attended both events at the spots.
Vijayan and state finance minister T.M. Thomas Isaac joined them online.
The Vyttila and the Kundannoor flyovers were built from Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) funds, officials said.