Enathu: There is a popular demand to build the new bridge planned across the Kalladayar River as part of the MC Road development project in the same place as the old bridge. It is assumed that the nearby junction could be developed if the bridge is connected to the old junction. Besides, the road near the bridge joins the mini highway that connects the proposed Sabarimala Road, the road to Chalayode and Konni medical colleges as well as the high range roads. 

The merchants and the people of the locality had submitted a representation to the concerned authorities two years ago, urging to build a new bridge here. Recently, land inspections were conducted for building a new bridge as part of the road development project. However, people are concerned that the bridge would be envisaged without connecting the junction, if the lands, including fields are taken over for bridge construction, assuming them to be cheaper. The old dismantled bridge whose debris was removed six years ago, was built in 1904.

However, the sturdy rock structures on both sides of the bridge that was more than a century old still remains intact. So, the people have been urging to build the new bridge on the same spot itself. Meanwhile, the authorities are also considering the spot where the Bailey bridge was set up when the present bridge got damaged. This area too could be connected to the junction. The present bride got damaged 18 years after it was constructed. Two new pillars were built in 2017 after the pillars were found to be weak. Meanwhile, the MC Road development project was launched while the authorities were being urged to build a new bridge considering the possibility that the present bridge might get weak again due to glitches in its construction. 

“The new bridge should be built on the exact spot where the old bridge stood. There is a nearby road and enough space here for the new bridge. The road close to the bridge joins the road that is part of the proposed Sabarimala Road. The junction could be developed if the new bridge is built to the east side of the present bridge. Now, a part of the junction seems isolated,” says Ambujakshan, unit president of Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samiti.