Nedumbassery: The dilapidated Ayroor Puthenthode Bridge in Kunnukara Panchayat’s Ward 3 stands on the brink of collapse, bearing the weight of heavy traffic despite being visibly unsafe. At over 60 years old, the structure has deteriorated to a critical state, with crumbling concrete foundations and no signs of immediate repair.

Every day, the narrow bridge carries a staggering load — around 15 private buses, 3 KSRTC buses, 25 school buses, and multiple overloaded tipper lorries. Locals fear that the bridge, already in shambles, is a tragedy waiting to happen.

Though ₹2 crore was allocated four years ago for the construction of a new bridge, the project has seen little progress. With rising demands to build the replacement structure at a higher elevation to reduce flood risks, even the previously earmarked funds may now fall short. While officials insist that land acquisition and preparatory works are ongoing, residents remain unconvinced and increasingly anxious.

A narrow passage through danger
The existing bridge measures just 15 metres long and 3 metres wide, barely allowing one vehicle to pass at a time. It lacks retaining walls on either side of the approach, making even minor errors potentially fatal. Accidents are frequent, particularly when two vehicles meet from opposite directions — one must stop, while the other squeezes through. This often results in sudden braking, leading to rear-end collisions or vehicles skidding into the canal below.

Compounding the danger is the depth of the Ayroor Puthenthode canal, which flows beneath. Several houses are perched precariously close to its banks. A memorandum submitted to the Minor Irrigation Department more than three years ago sought protective walls along both sides of the canal. Despite an estimate being prepared, no action has followed.

A canal of significance, A region at risk
The 1.5 km-long canal connects the Chalakudy River to the Manjali Canal in Angamaly, making it a vital waterway for the region. Locals are now demanding not only the urgent reconstruction of the bridge but also proper conservation efforts for the canal to prevent erosion and safeguard nearby homes.
As bureaucratic delays persist, so does the fear — that the next overloaded truck or rainy season could bring the bridge, and those who depend on it, crashing down.