Perumbetty: The prolonged long delay in restoring the dilapidated Kudankkallungal Bridge and its approach road has left local residents and motorists deeply anxious, as recurring accidents continue to haunt the area. The Chalappally–Kudankkallungal road, which connects Kottanad and Ezhumattoor panchayats along the Poovanakkadu–Cherukolpuzha Road, has become accident-prone due to serious alignment flaws and the unscientific construction of the bridge.

So far, six lives have been lost here and of these, three were within a 12-metre radius of the bridge while the rest took place along the approach road. Over the past six years, the stretch has witnessed 198 major and minor accidents. At least 18 vehicles, including two-wheelers and autorickshaws, have plunged into the canal. A total of 68 people, including three school students, have suffered injuries.

Although the installation of boards warning of accident risk by the authorities helped reduce the number of mishaps, local residents say at least ten minor accidents have occurred since then.

The 66-year-old bridge, built with granite, has been steadily weakening. Stones beneath the structure have been displaced by the strong flow of water from the surrounding mountain ranges. Parts of the bridge’s concrete surface remain damp, while the approach road remains caved in towards the canal by around 25 metres from the middle. A large portion of the retaining wall has also collapsed into the roadside.

Motorists and residents are now demanding the construction of a new bridge, with proper correction of the alignment flaws in the approach road, to put an end to the recurring tragedies.