Set up parallel bridges on a war footing: islanders

An all-party delegation coordinated by the Federation of Residents Associations Apex Council in Goshree Islands (FRAG) will meet Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan with a request for setting up parallel bridges to the Goshree first and third bridges on a war-footing.

The decision was taken at a meeting of local body chiefs, people’s representatives, and residents’ association organised by FRAG on Saturday. Presidents of Mulavukad, Elamkunnapuzha, Nayarambalam, Edavanakkad, Kuzhippilly, Vypeen and Edappally blocks attended the meeting. Industries Minister P. Rajeeve and Vypeen MLA K.N. Unnikrishnan will also be approached with a request to be part of the delegation.

At present, only the second Goshree bridge has a parallel bridge. “The Goshree Islands Development Authority has already earmarked funds and acquired land for the proposed two parallel bridges,” said Anil Plavians, general secretary of FRAG.

Meanwhile, the traffic snarl along the Goshree bridges continued unabated, with only 12 days left in the 25-day window given for the restoration of the bridge parallel to the Goshree second bridge to be opened to commuters. Islanders have been enduring this ordeal for over two months. Adding to the misery are the pothole-ridden first and second Goshree bridges. The situation was especially bad on Saturday, with a traffic block and serpentine queues of vehicles starting right from High Court Junction.

“If the restoration of the parallel bridge is not completed as agreed within 25 days, we will completely block the movement of containers and lay siege to the toll plaza at Mulavukad. The pothole filling works on the two bridges is likely to start as soon as rain subsides,” said Mr. Plavians.

Though FRAG and other stakeholders had demanded a complete ban on container movement through the Goshree bridges during peak hours, the restriction was relaxed somewhat, considering that the near convoy-like movement of containers after peak hours would create a traffic block of its own. “So, the present understanding is to allow containers from the terminal and three container stations every 20 minutes. However, there are instances when containers get stuck, and the ensuing traffic snarl sometimes lasts for more than an hour,” said Mr. Plavians.