ALUVA: Finally the long wait for the footbridge that will connect Sivarathri Manappuram with Kottarakadavu in Aluva may be over. The government has invited tenders for the design and construction of a concrete footbridge. The Manappuram hosts a congregation of over 8 lakh devotees during the Sivarathri season, most of whom arrive here to perform ‘Bali’.
PWD officials, however, are skeptical and said that the chances for completing the construction of the bridge before the next Sivarathri season are very slim. In such a case, the devotees will have to rely on temporary bridges, which are built every year, to travel to and fro from the Manappuram. “Since it is highly doubtful that the bridge will be constructed in time for the Sivarathri season, we will make do with a temporary bridge that will be built with the fund allocated for this purpose by the state government this year also,” said Aluva municipality chairman M T Jacob, adding that the reimbursement for amount spent for the construction works last season is yet to arrive.
“We have received assurance from the MLA and the state government that the funds for last season’s construction will be reimbursed soon. Even though the municipality is only happy to provide for a bridge that will facilitate easier movement for the devotees, who arrive at Aluva for Sivarathri, the Dewaswom board is completely ignoring its responsibilities and concentrating only on increasing its profits. It is not right on their part to act so,” said M T Jacob.
The authorities and PWD officials all expressed hope that the permanent bridge will materialise before the 2016 Sivarathri festival. “The bridge will extend from Kottarakkadavu to Aluva Manappuram, in the exact same alignment as that of the temporary bridges,” said PWD Aluva superintending engineer P P Benny.
“A sum of `10 crore has been quoted for its construction,” he said. According to PWD officials, it will take at least a year for the construction to be completed. MLA Anwar Sadath echoes the same opinion. “A temporary bridge will have to be constructed for one more Sivarathri season. We hope that we would be able to complete the construction of this bridge before the next Karkidaka Vavu. The timeline will depend on the contractors,” said MLA Anwar Sadath.
CPI(M) area secretary Saheer told ‘Express’ that the construction of the bridge was deemed necessary after the ferry boat Jalarani capsized in an accident at Thekkady. “After the accident, strict rules were enforced regarding the fitness of the boat and also the maximum number of passengers allowed. Hence, engaging a boat to ferry the devotees was not feasible considering the huge number of people that throng the Manappuram during Sivarathri season,” he said.
Initially, plans were afoot to construct a hanging bridge from the municipal park to Aalthara. The plan was dropped in its early stage, after it was found that the bridge won’t be able to support the huge influx of devotees crowds during Sivarathri season. The bridge plan also had face stiff opposition and paved way for several agitations, especially against the decision to collect toll.
The protesters claimed that it is unfair on the part of the authorities to collect toll as the government had funds for its construction. The permanent bridge will be a huge relief for people of Aluva, considering the huge influx of devotees.