Vypin: A meeting convened by FRAG, a collective of residents’ associations in Goshree islands of Kochi, has demanded immediate measures to construct parallel bridges and a coastal road to ease the severe travel woes of the islanders.

A suggestion was also raised at the meeting to meet the Chief Minister along with people’s representatives such as MLAs and ministers to convince him of the urgent need to start work on new bridges parallel to the existing Goshree bridges 1 and 2 and a new coastal road. Participants at the meeting said that a decision on the new constructions should be taken before the opening of the bridge connecting Munabam and Azhikode, which is expected to worsen the current traffic congestion.

Another suggestion was to shift at least a third of the container movement to and from the Vallarpadam container terminal to the rail route, which would reduce the number of trucks on the roads and ease traffic blocks. The Kalamassery-Vallarpadom railway track, along which goods trains pass very rarely, could be utilised for passenger trains, said the participants at the meeting. “A railway station can be built at Vallarpadom and MEMU services launched on the Aluva-Vallarpadom route,” said a speaker.

The other demands raised at the meeting included carrying out the work on the proposed bridge from Pookkad to Container Road on a priority basis, seriously considering a new road along the banks of the backwaters, constructing additional boat jetties for Water Metro to expand its services and extension of Kochi Metro to Vypin.

V P Sabu, president of FRAG (Federation of Residents Associations Apex Council in Goshree Islands) presided over the meeting and general secretary Anil Plavians presented the topic. Screenwriter Benny P Nayarambalam took part in the meeting along with local body representatives, political leaders and various officials from the area.