KOCHI: The Goshree bridges, which changed the fortunes of a set of islands surrounding Kochi, turned 12 on Sunday. The third bridge of the trio was opened on June 5, 2004. And for the hundreds of islanders of Bolghatty, Mulavukadu, Vallarpadam and Vypeen, Goshree is not mere structure, it symbolises decades they spent fighting for a basic right.
But, shadows still linger. As the population of the islands register a steady rise during the last 12 years, the two-lane bridges might not be sufficient to meet the travel requirements.
Parallel Bridges
With the Container Terminal Road being used as one of the major roads by commuters to skip the traffic of the city, the vehicular traffic through the bridges too have increased. Vehicles from Kozhikode, Thrissur and Palakkad districts coming to the city usually take diversion from Kalamassery to the Container Road-Goshree Bridge Road. So, it is essential to think of parallel measures as widening of the bridges is not possible.
A total of three parallel bridges need to be constructed if the plan need to be executed effectively. The first among the existing Goshree bridges is at the end of Marine Drive from High Court junction. If a parallel bridge is constructed for the first bridge, then the bridge which is being constructed by the Port Trust connecting Bolghatty and Mulavukadu can be used as the second parallel bridge. The third one should be constructed connecting Bolgatty and Vypeen.
Traffic Management
Another important step needed to be taken by the authorities is the systematic management of traffic at the roundabout in Goshree junction, after the bridge. Vehicles emerging from the first Goshree Bridge and taking the right turn to the Container Terminal Road are in danger of colliding with vehicles coming to the city from the Vypeen side. The free left by vehicles from the Vypeen direction to the Container Terminal Road and from the Container Terminal Road to the first Goshree Bridge is also equally dangerous. Hence it is important to appoint police personnel here at the junction so as to make the the traffic flow smooth and accident free.
The Many Woes
As the population of the islands register a steady rise during the last 12 years, the two-lane bridges might not be sufficient to meet the travel requirements.
With the Container Terminal Road being used as one of the major roads by commuters to skip the traffic of the city, the vehicular traffic through the bridges too have increased.
A total of three parallel bridges need to be constructed if the plan need to be executed effectively