Thiruvananthapuram: Collector directs early completion of Vallakadavu bridge

Thiruvananthapuram: District collector S. Ventakesapathi has directed the public works department to expedite steps for construction of a new bridge at Vallakadavu as well as to strengthen the existing one which has heritage value.

At a meeting with the PWD officials and representatives of the local community, the collector also directed them to submit within a week a detailed plan on the alternative travel arrangements to be made until the new bridge is ready.

Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple authorities and a group of residents had raised concerns over PWD's plans for the renovation of the decades-old bridge citing hindrance to the traditional Aarattu procession of the temple.

The collector directed the PWD to take steps for construction of new bridge only after gathering the opinion of the local people and reviewing it.

A social impact study for the new bridge was already on. Until the new bridge comes, the existing one would remain open. Alternative arrangements would be for transportation of heavy vehicles, a statement from the collectorate said.

Deputy collector Sam L. Zone, PWD executive engineer Suresh Kumar, Vallakadavu councillor Shajida Nazar and action council leaders Vikraman Nair and Saifuddin Haji attended the meeting.