KOCHI: Many things differentiate Goshree bridges from the rest in the state. The main point is that the government instead of spending funds on the project earned quite a lot by way of registration of land in the area.
The bridge is toll-free as the government has not spent funds on it. The Goshree Island development Authority (GIDA) which mobilised `330 crore through sale of 25 hectares of reclaimed land had surplus amount after construction of the bridges.
The history of the bridges is also marked by agitations by the Action Council for Vypeen-Ernakulam. A memorable episode is the construction of a temporary bridge with 400 country crafts across the backwaters between Ernakulam and Bolgatty. The Council was formed at a meeting of islanders held at Santacruz HS Ochanthuruthu in October 1986 and the agitations lasted till the bridges were completed in 2004.
“The Action Council had the whole-hearted support of islanders irrespective of colour of flags, caste or creed. The people yearned for the bridges,” said Advocate Majnu Komath, who was the convener of the Council.
“Words uttered by then Chief Minister A K Antony that the bridges were not just bridges but the gateway to development for the state, proves to be true now.” Majnu Komath said that the proposal to reclaim backwaters faced stiff opposition from environmentalists. “The first proposal was to develop 250 hectres through reclamation. Greens approached the court against this. When the case came up for hearing, the High Court asked whether the area of reclamation could be reduced. Following this, then project director P N Chandramohan revised the project and reduced the area of reclamation to 25 hectres which was acceptable to the court,’’ said Majnu Komath who appeared for Council.
The foundation stone was laid on December 29, 2000 and construction began in August 2001. The first segment between Ernakulam and Bolgatty was opened on December 29, 2003. The segment between Bolgatty and Vallarpadam was opened on February 10, 2004. The last segment was completed on March 17, 2004 and the entire bridge was formally opened on June 5.
Much in a Name
Kochi: Cochin Islands Development Authority (CIDA) was the name given to the autonomous body constituted for development of Vypeen and nearby islands. Former Chief Secretary R Ramachandran Nair suggested the name ‘Goshree’, an ancient name of Kochi for the body and Cochin was replaced by Goshree.
While construction was in progress, GIDA received several memoranda demanding that the bridges be named after socio-political leaders of Ernakulam and the islands surrounding it.