Punnamada bridge work making headway

The construction of a bridge connecting the Nehru Cup Ward in Alappuzha Municipality to the mainland (Punnamada) is making progress.

The bridge 57.12 Crore is being built at cost. Authorities, the construction of pile caps and scaffolding for the bridge is progressing, he said. So far, 34 piles, nine pile valves and 14 pier has been completed.

When completed, the bridge will end the travel problems of residents in the Nehru Cup ward and Naduthuruth in Panchayat.

PP Chitharanjan, MLA, said the bridge will travel smoothly for 600 families. MLA, “Currently people to move patients to hospitals, children to go to school and adults to go to work for the country’s boats. The construction of the bridge reflects the government’s commitment to people,” he said.

To avoid interruptions

The bridge is designed to avoid disruptions in water transport, including Hearboat operations in Lake Punnamada, a national waterway. According to the design, the bridge of 384.1 meters long has a Bowstring belt opening of 72.05 meters long for 25 openings and water transportation each of which is 12 meters long. The proposed approach on both sides is 110 meters long. A total of 7.99 Crore was spent to acquire land for the construction of ways of approach.

Once it takes place, the bridge is expected to significantly increase tourism in the region. At the same time, the proposed Pallathuruthy East Bypass Road, which aims to directly access the Alappuzha-Alappuzha Road from Alappuzha-Alappuzha Road to Alappuzha-Alappuzha Road, is part of the Road of Pallathuruthy East Bypass Road and thus helps to alleviate traffic congestion in the town.

The Punnamada Bridge was designed by former Finance Minister and Alappuzha Mla Tm Thomas Isaac during the first Pinarayi government. Although the project received approval from the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board in 2019, it faced delays due to changes in harmony and land acquisition problems. After solving the problems, the project entered the tender stage in 2022. The bridge is built by the Uralungal Working Contract Cooperative Association.