KOZHIKODE: A meeting of elected representatives with Public Works Department (PWD) special secretary Biju Prabhakar held at the collectorate here on Monday decided to depute a special team to inspect Moorad bridge in Vadakara to explore ways to construct a new one. The dilapidated bridge at Moorad on the Kozhikode-Vadakara National Highway is in a bad condition. The pothole -filled road is causing traffic snarls daily, with vehicles forming long queues on NH 66. The special team, consisting of district collector and senior officials of PWD will explore ways to construct a new bridge across the river.
The existing bridge built by the British is 76 years old and has a width of only 5.5 metres and cannot bear the load of heavy vehicles. A report proposing the construction of a new bridge has been getting dusty at the PWD office for a long time. “Land has already been acquired for the construction of the new bridge and Rs 50 crore was allotted in the budget. But National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) had denied permission as part of their NH widening plan,” said Koyilandy MLA, K. Dasan. The team will submit a report whether there is any need to re-acquire the land and whether it is in consonance with the NHAI alignment. The PWD executive engineer had reported that NHAI had conducted a survey for the new bridge at the site. Vadakara MLA C.K Nanu was also present at the meet.
