KOCHI: The new bridge linking Puthenvelikkara with the mainland was thrown open to traffic on Sunday by Works Minister G Sudhakaran. Built at Valiyapazham-Pallithuruthu, the bridge will be a boon to the people of Puthenvelikakra who lacked proper connectivity to nearby areas due to the lack of adequate infrastructure facilities.
Addressing the function, Sudhakaran said despite the obstacles encountered during the construction, the Public Works Department completed the construction without incurring any additional expenditure. According to him, though the original estimate for the bridge was Rs 23 crore, the project was executed for just `20 crore. This is the seventh bridge which is being commissioned during the LDF Government's tenure," he said.
The Station Kadavu-Valiya Pazham Pallithuruthu bridge had been the long-standing demand of the people of Puthenvelikkara. Now, the residents can reach Ernakulam and Paravur easily. "The new bridge will help in the upgradation of Puthenvelikkara's infrastructure facilities and will give a boost to the economic and social life of the people here," said P P Laju, Puthenvelikkara panchayat president. Earlier, the people had to travel via Manjali to reach Paravur which would take nearly an hour and the bus fare was `20.
Now, following the construction of the bridge, one can reach Chendamangalam and Paravur in just 10 minutes and it will cost them only `10 by way of bus fare. The connectivity provided by the bridge will benefit students and working people the most. The construction of the bridge started in 2010. However, the work ground to a halt owing to lack of funds. Later, the project was revived and the work was entrusted with the Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala Ltd (RBDCK).