Finally, Manappuram to get a permanent bridge.

The long wait for devotees to the Aluva Manappuram for a permanent bridge across the Periyar is finally getting over.

Recently, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala will inaugurate the construction work of a permanent footbridge to the Manappuram from Aluva town. Public Works Minister V.K. Ebrahim Kunju will preside over the function, to be attended by M.P. Govindan Nair, president, Travancore Devaswom Board, among others.

The State government has allocated Rs.14 crore from its plan fund for setting up the bridge, connecting the Aluva Kottarakkadavu with the Manappuram. The 200-metre-long six-metre-wide concrete beam bridge will have a flight of steps on both ends. The bridge will be built in such a way that water transport will not be disrupted under the bridge.

The devotees had to make do with a temporary bridge during the Sivarathri season for the past six years, each time the cost coming to around Rs. 30 lakh.

Anwar Sadath, MLA, said the contractors had given the assurance that the works would be completed by February next year, before the commencement of the next Sivarathri season.

As per estimates, around 10 lakh people visit the Manappuram as part of Sivarathri and Karkidaka Vavu every year.

The plan for a permanent bridge across the Periyar was first mooted in 1995.

However, the earlier plan to set up a hanging bridge across the river had to be shelved following opposition from various quarters.


THE HINDU