Makke Kadavu–Nere Kadavu Bridge Connecting Alappuzha and Kottayam Opened to Public

Alappuzha: The Makke Kadavu–Nere Kadavu bridge, built across Vembanad Lake to connect Alappuzha and Kottayam districts, has been opened to the public. Chief Minister V D Satheesan inaugurated the bridge on Sunday. The previous LDF government resolved land acquisition issues and completed the construction.

The bridge connects Makke Kadavu in Thaikkattussery, Aroor constituency, with Nere Kadavu in Udayanapuram, Vaikom. The 800-metre-long bridge has a 7.5-metre-wide carriageway, with 80 girders and 22 spans. Footpaths measuring 1.5 metres in width have been provided on both sides.

Minister P K Basheer, Deputy Speaker Shanimol Usman, ministers Ramesh Chennithala, Mons Joseph and M Liju, Alappuzha district panchayat president A Mahendran, District Collector Shaji V Nair, former MP A M Ariff and former MLA C K Asha attended the inauguration ceremony held at Makke Kadavu.

Project completed through the determination of the LDF government

The idea of a Thuravoor–Pampa road was first proposed by the V S government in 2006. Then Finance Minister Dr T M Thomas Isaac announced development works worth Rs 1 crore. Preliminary work on the bridge, including soil testing, began subsequently.

The UDF government, which came to power in 2011, allocated budget funds but took no further steps towards the construction of the bridge. A contract was signed with the construction company on June 16, 2016, after Rs 78.40 crore was sanctioned. The first Pinarayi Vijayan government laid the foundation stone for the bridge in 2017.

Construction progressed at a fast pace before a dispute over land acquisition for the adjoining road brought the work to a halt.

A M Ariff made considerable efforts to resolve the land issue, both as MLA and later as MP. Former MLAs Daleema and C K Asha also actively intervened. On June 10, 2022, the required land was acquired and handed over to the Public Works Department.

Former Minister P A Muhammad Riyas then intervened directly in the matter, while former Finance Minister K N Balagopal expedited the release of funds. Considering the increase in construction material costs since the original contract was signed seven years earlier, the government sanctioned an additional Rs 42 crore.

Construction resumed in March 2024, paving the way for the completion of the Makke Kadavu–Nere Kadavu bridge.

With the bridge now open, travel from Kottayam towards Ernakulam and Alappuzha is expected to become faster.