Demand is rife to build a pair of bridges parallel to the first and third of the trio of Goshree bridges to ensure smooth flow of vehicles in the Ernakulam-Vypeen corridor.
| Photo Credit: File photo

The manifold increase in traffic along the Ernakulam-Vypeen corridor and the impending increase in the number of vehicles through the stretch once the Munambam-Azheekode bridge that would link Thrissur with Ernakulam is commissioned, have intensified the demand to build a pair of bridges parallel to the first and third of the trio of Goshree bridges, by using a portion of funds from the ₹403 crore that the Goshree Islands Development Authority (GIDA) has.

The GIDA, which has a team of 14 staff, must ideally use the funds to build bridges and allied infrastructure that the islanders in the densely-populated Goshree region have been demanding, said Raju Vazhakkala, an activist who through a recent RTI query, procured details like the funds the authority has in its possession.

Referring to worsening traffic snarls and the recurrence of accidents on the narrow first and third Goshree bridges, which have only two-lane width, when motorists attempt to overtake through the wrong side, police sources said it was high time the two bridges were widened to at least four-lane width, to prevent head-on collisions.

Antony Aneesh, who was among the activists who were campaigning for a 350-metre-long approach road to the Pizhala-Moolampilly bridge, called upon GIDA to expedite bridge and road works in the Goshree region, by making optimal use of the ₹403-crore funds. “This is because commuters from the isles have been enduring huge delay in bridge-related works. The situation is such that they are caught in serpentine traffic snarls on the narrow Goshree bridges, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and in the evening peak hours.”

Minister’s assurance

In reply to a submission by K.N. Unnikrishnan, Vypeen MLA, Minister for Public Works P.A. Mohamed Riyas had informed the Legislative Assembly in 2024 that preliminary works were set in motion to build the two bridges, in view of the steep increase in number of vehicles, and their expected increase in number when the Coastal Highway is built through Vypeen.

GIDA’s reply

Responding to increasing demands to build bridges parallel to the first and third bridges that link Ernakulam with the Goshree isles, GIDA sources said it has already committed approximately ₹350 crore for ongoing and other projects in the eight panchayats that comprise the Goshree region. “There is no doubt that the pair of bridges ought to be built as soon as possible to ensure safe and smooth flow of vehicles, and numerous people and organisations are demanding this. The bridges can be built only if the State government allocates adequate funds in the forthcoming Budget. Land has already been frozen on the northern side of the bridges.”

The second Goshree bridge already has a parallel bridge that was built over a decade ago by the National Highways Authority of India.