New Kodimatha Bridge Set for November 10 Opening After Long Delay

Motorists travelling along M.C. Road will finally get a second bridge at Kodimatha on November 10 after a decade-long wait. Kottayam legislator and Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan stated that Public Works Minister P.K. Basheer will officially open the bridge at 5 p.m.

Project Details And Traffic Relief

The Public Works Department Bridges wing built the new high-level structure at an estimated cost of ₹15.49 crore. It spans 128 meters in length and 12 meters in width, and the design allows clear water transport after the modernization of the M.C. Road corridor. Authorities built the structure to solve chronic traffic jams caused by the narrow and old existing bridge. Ahead of the opening, workers finished tarring the approach road and set up zebra crossings and road studs.

Construction Delays And Relocation

The Kerala State Transport Project started construction in August 2015 with an 18-month completion target. However, the work stalled because two families living under the old bridge refused the compensation offered by the project. The half-built project remained abandoned after the Kerala State Transport Project handed the completed M.C. Road over to the Public Works Department. Later, the Kottayam municipality arranged housing for one family through the Life Mission program. A voluntary organization gave land and a house to the second family in February 2021, which cleared the path for the project to resume.

Reopening Plans And Pilgrimage Season

Mr. Radhakrishnan noted that opening the bridge before the Sabarimala pilgrimage season begins will give massive relief to Ayyappa devotees. Nearly half of the approach road to the old bridge has sunken. Because of this, authorities plan to rebuild the older structure once the new bridge opens fully.

Context

Public infrastructure projects often face long delays due to land acquisition and local relocation hurdles in urban areas. Infrastructure upgrades along key regional corridors help manage heavy seasonal traffic surges during major religious events like the Sabarimala pilgrimage season.