Paravur: Renovation of the Pozhikkara regulator bridge at Paravur in Kollam district will resume in December this year and the entire work, including installation of new shutters and motors, will be completed before the next summer season, said Chief Engineer (Mechanical) of the Irrigation Department.

A project to modernise the bridge had been stalled for the last two years. The chief engineer said that an estimate to fix the shutters prepared by the mechanical wing, based on a study conducted by it, will be submitted to Rebuild Kerala in September. The Major Irrigation Department is the custodian of the bridge.

The Major Irrigation Department authorities had banned entry to heavy vehicles on the bridge two-and-half years ago when cracks developed beneath the structure while dismantling the old shutters. However, officials said that an inspection carried out by the civil wing of the Irrigation Department later found that the 50-year-old bridge was not weak. The officials also claimed that the renovation was delayed by two years owing to rains.

While the mechanical wing had submitted an estimate of ₹2.3 crore for the renovation, administrative sanction was received for only ₹1.5 crore. Subsequently, the contractor built a bund extending to 88 m in length at the estuary to enable installation of eight shutters. However, the contractor soon demanded a higher amount for the work as the bund had to be demolished thrice to prevent flooding, and activities came to a standstill. Currently, the new shutters to be installed on the regulator bridge are kept on the premises of a nearby temple.

With the shutters remaining open at present, shortage of potable water is being experienced on the banks of the backwaters as fresh water flows out unchecked to the sea. Similarly, intrusion of saline water from the sea to the backwaters is posing a threat to the fish wealth of the lake.

The previous  state budget had earmarked an amount of ₹10 crore to remove the earth and mud which accumulated below the Pozhikkara regulator and clear the mounds of river sand in the backwaters.

Work started in 1958
Work on the Pozhikkara regulator bridge was started in 1958 with the aim of preventing the intrusion of salt water from the sea into the Paravur backwaters and enabling vehicular transport along the coastal area. Work was completed in 1976 and the bridge was opened to traffic. Some years ago, the state government undertaking KEL replaced the iron shutters, which had been damaged due to corrosion. The bridge is located at a spot close to the sea where there are strong undercurrents.

Over a hundred vehicles, including Taurus trucks carrying heavy materials, pass over the bridge every day as development of the national highway is taking place nearby. Residents of the area have sought a detailed inspection to check the strength of the 50-year-old bridge.