Approach Road to Kothi Bridge in Final Phase

The bridge was constructed two decades ago
Approach Road to Kothi Bridge in Final Phase

KOZHIKODE: Nearly two decades after it was built, the Kothi bridge is finally set to serve its purpose as the construction of the approach road is nearing completion.

PWD officials say that the construction of the approach road from the South Beach to Chakkumkadavu will be completed by May 25.

“The construction of the road on the Kothi side has been completed. The work of laying Macadam-bitumen on the Pallikandy side is going on. Along with it a sea wall is also being constructed at various places along the road. We hope to complete the entire work by May 25 and open it for traffic by the end of this month,” says a PWD official.

The road on the Pallikkandy side is around 1,200 m long and the other on the Chakkumkadavu side is 600 m long. It is being constructed in 10-m width and protected with a sea wall wherever necessary. The work is being carried out by Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS).

Although the Kothi bridge was constructed nearly two decades ago, it remained inaccessible without an approach road. The major reason for the delay in implementing the project was the issues related to the acquisition of land for the road, as the affected families were worried about rehabilitation. The deadlock ended with the UDF government sanctioning Rs 14 crore for the construction of the 2-km approach road in October 2013. The state government had earlier spent Rs 5 crore on land acquisition and had also announced a special package of Rs 3.5 crore for rehabilitation.The bridge is supposed to play an arterial role on the proposed coastal highway between Ponnanni and Vengalam and seeks to link the city to its historic cultural and trade hubs, such as Kuttichira and Valiyangadi.

The approach road, once completed, will help the residents of Pallikkandy, Thekkepuram, Chakkumkadavu and Payyanakkal gain better access to the city.

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