Munnar: A bridge in the Edamalakkudy panchayat, a remote tribal settlement, has been opened for public use despite incomplete approach roads, with a temporary ladder installed at its midpoint.
The bridge, spanning the Manali River, was built by erecting pillars on either side of the water and laying iron sheets over half its span. An iron ladder connects the structure to the ground, allowing residents to cross the river by climbing it.

Located near the panchayat headquarters at Societykkudy, the bridge was constructed at a cost of ₹15 lakh. It provides access to several settlements, including Meenkuthi, Kandathikkudi, Kavakkattukudi, and Koodallar.

The pillars had been erected years earlier, and residents previously crossed the river using wooden logs laid across them. Heavy rains, however, often washed away the logs, prompting the installation of iron sheets.

The panchayat had allocated funds for a proper footbridge, but only 80 percent of the construction was completed before funds ran out. As a temporary measure, the contractor installed iron ladders on both sides of the bridge.

Now, residents — including schoolchildren and the elderly — struggle to climb the ladders to reach the other bank. While the panchayat plans to allocate additional funds to complete the bridge, a decision is likely to be made only after the new council assumes office, as the current council’s tenure ends in a few weeks.