Thiruvananthapuram: Tenders called for constructing bridge across Vellayani lake

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Tenders are called for the construction of Vellayani bridge connecting Poonkulam and Kakkamoola. The authorities believe the bridge would resolve the traffic disruption along the bund road during monsoon. The estimated cost of the work is Rs 23 crores which will be funded by KIIFB.
As per the bid document, the project envisages the construction of a bridge across Vellayani lake connecting Poonkulam and Kakkamoola areas of Kovalam constituency in the district.At present there is an earthen bund road connecting Poonkulam and Kakkamoola across the lake.
It has been found that the bund road is being settled over a long period. During monsoon season, lake water flows across the earthen bund road causing a flood like situation which interrupts the regular traffic and creates difficulties in commuting of local people.
Due to the continuous passage of heavy vehicles, it is susceptible to further settlement which may topple the road eventually. Therefore, the construction of a bridge is very much necessary at this location, the document says.
The government had accorded administrative sanction for an amount of Rs 25crores for the construction of Vellayani bridge in 2017. Accordingly the detailed survey and soil investigation works had been carried out and the tentative design drawing was obtained from the design wing of the PWD.
Based on this the DPR for the bridge work had been prepared and submitted to the KIIFB and financial sanction was accorded.
For the execution of the bridge work, the existing utilities of KWA, KSEB and BSNL passing through the alignment of the bridge will be shifted. In the DPR submitted to KIIFB for financial sanction, the provision for shifting the utilities of KWA, KSEB and BSNL had also been incorporated based on the estimates received from the respective departments.
A pumping main station of KWA is also located near the existing bund road adjacent to the bridge alignment from where the water of Vellayani lake is pumped and carried to the nearby treatment plant and the treated water is carried back to different destinations through the pipe lines passing through the existing bund road connecting Poonkulam and Kakkamoola.
For the construction of the new bridge, these pumping mainlines of KWA also need to be shifted. KWA has submitted an estimate for temporary shifting of these pipe lines for the commencement of the bridge work and for relaying the pipe through separate structure provided as per the requirement from KWA. A service road is also provided for accessing the pump house.
Provision is given for relaying the 300mm DI pumping main line pipes by supporting an additional steel structure outside the bridge alignment by supporting on the extension of the pile cap of the new bridge. The construction of the bridge is expected to be completed in 18 months.