PWD Minister Mons Joseph has said that an amount of Rs 925 lakh has been set apart for the construction of a new bridge in place of the present Kundamankadavu bridge on the Thirumala-Malayinkeezhu route.
While replying to a submission by N. Sakthan of the Congress, in the Assembly, on Tuesday, he said that the alignment and plan of the new concrete bridge has already been approved.
The new bridge will be constructed towards the east of the present iron bridge. Steps have already begun for acquiring land for the approach road of the new bridge. The border of the approach road has to be marked before taking steps to acquire the land at ‘ponnum vila’, Mons said.
Earlier, raising the issue, Sakthan pointed out that the bridge is in a very decayed condition. The bridge was constructed over 100 years ago by the British. The narrow bridge is also causing traffic jams sometimes even for over an hour. This is because only one-way traffic is allowed along the bridge now.
VELLAYANI LAKE
Revenue Minister K.P. Rajendran on Tuesday said the Government has given directions to the Survey Director to set up a team of survey officials immediately for conducting a survey of the Vellayani lake.
Replying to the adjournment motion moved by N. Sakthan of the Congress on Tuesday, he said the survey is necessary because of differences in the statistics regarding the area of the Vellayani lake prepared by various departments.
The Thiruvananthapuram District Collector has been directed to provide the necessary Revenue officials for helping the survey officials.
He said that a squad comprising of Revenue and police officials under the sub-collector has been formed to conduct raids to check the sand mining mafia in Vellayani lake.
A meeting of the Ministers concerned, people’s representatives and officials will be convened on December 10 to discuss the issue of the lake.