The Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB) has announced that the construction of the Kumbalam-Thevara bridge will commence shortly. Officials from the board have indicated that the land acquisition process for the approach road is almost complete, allowing construction to begin within a few weeks.
Despite receiving funding from the state government in 2016, the project encountered delays due to objections from the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). The government initially proposed a direct bridge linking Kumbalam to the Thevara ferry, but IWAI raised concerns that the bridge’s pillars would obstruct the passage of vessels. Consequently, the design was altered to accommodate IWAI’s objections.
The new bridge is anticipated to decrease the travel distance between Kumbalam and Thevara by approximately 10 kilometers, thereby halving the travel time on this route. Additionally, it is expected to alleviate traffic congestion on several city routes. This bridge will facilitate easier access for residents of Kumbalam, Aroor, Nettoor, and Thevara, allowing them to bypass city traffic.
Currently, residents of Kumbalam, who are in close proximity to the city, must travel around 18 kilometers along the Aroor-Edappally section of NH 66 to reach Kochi. The opening of the new bridge is also projected to significantly reduce vehicle congestion at a minimum of four traffic signal junctions.
