FRAG, bus operators seek bridges parallel to first and third Goshree bridges

Worsening traffic congestion on the first of the three Goshree bridges has prompted calls for its widening.

Welcoming the proposal to build a two-lane bridge parallel to the first among the trio of Goshree bridges, the Federation of Residents Associations’ Apex Council in the Goshree Islands (FRAG) and bus operators from the region have demanded a bridge parallel to the third bridge as well, considering the impending additional influx of vehicles when the Munambam-Azhikode bridge that links Ernakulam with Thrissur is commissioned in a few months’ time.

The bridges, especially the first one that links the city with Bolgatty Island, witness huge traffic hold-ups every day since they have only two-lane width. The second bridge is four-lane, with a parallel bridge being commissioned a decade ago.

“The State government and the Goshree Islands Development Authority (GIDA) must initiate proactive measures for the two parallel bridges, especially since GIDA acquired land on their northern side 25 years ago, foreseeing the need to build four-lane bridges linking the city with the densely populated isles. The prevailing traffic snarls would worsen when more vehicles to and from Thrissur rely on the stretch,” said Anil Plavians, general secretary of FRAG.

The GIDA must also widen and redevelop the junction after the first bridge, since the routing of vehicles at the roundabout is unscientific. For now, the traffic police should take steps to divert two-wheelers through the space earmarked as footpaths on the northern and southern sides of the first Goshree bridge during morning and evening peak hours, respectively. This will ensure optimal use of space over the two-lane bridge.

On its part, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) must operate more number of buses from the city to Munambam and to North Paravur from early morning to at least 11 p.m. to prevent commuters from having to rely on private vehicles and autorickshaws, he said.

On the proposal to build a two-lane bridge parallel to the first Goshree bridge, Tony Chammany, Vypeen MLA, said the government has sanctioned ₹25 lakh to the Public Works department to carry out soil testing for the structure. “This would be followed by readying of its design and the detailed project report. The project will be implemented in a time-bound manner, considering the acute traffic congestion. As for more KSRTC buses, I had submitted a memorandum in this regard to the Transport Minister in June,” Mr. Chammany said.

P.K. Lenin, president of the Private Bus Operators’ Association (Vypeen-North Paravur region) narrated how commuters and bus operators are having a harrowing time since it often takes 18 minutes to cover the bottlenecked High Court Junction-Kalamukku stretch. As per permit conditions, buses ought to cover the distance in eight minutes. In this situation, the government must allot funds to widen the first and the third Goshree bridges, while the sinking approaches of the second bridge must be raised, he said.