New bridge across Conolly canal soon.

Final touches are being given to a project to construct a new bridge across the Conolly canal at Puthiyapalam in the city. The district administration led by Collector .C.A. Latha visited the site recently to make an assessment of the project.

The visit was prior to a District Level Purchase Committee (DLPC) meeting slated next week. A new bridge at Puthiyapalam is expected to ease traffic congestion in the city.

Land for the purpose will be acquired at Kottuli in Kasaba village. As many as 117 shops and five houses come under the proposed land. The DLPC will fix the value of land and provide compensation to the shopkeepers. A comprehensive rehabilitation package would be worked out for them.

The State government has already sanctioned a sum of Rs. 40 crore for the project. The proposed bridge will be of 173 m length and 12 m width.

The government has also exempted the land from the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act after considering the long-pending demand of the people in the region. The Public Works Department and the Roads and Bridges Corporation have been entrusted with the construction of the bridge. The work will start after the government endorses the recommendations of the DLPC, Ms. Latha said.

The existing bridge at Puthiyapalam , constructed in 1984 , is so narrow that even pedestrians find it difficult to walk. The PWD will construct temporarily sheds for shopkeepers to carry out their business.


THE HINDU