Kumbalam, the village on the city outskirts, has rebooted its long-pending demand for a bridge across the backwater that will link it with the southern tip of the city at Thevara.
The residents associations and panchayat representatives have armed themselves with a project report prepared by managing director of Yasoram Group A.R.S. Vadhyar before raising the demand. The report says a 700-metre-long bridge, akin to Goshree Bridge, can be built without using government fund or collecting toll.
The idea is to reclaim two strips of land – 300 metres long and 50 metres wide at the west side on Kumbalam end and similar one at Thevara – and sell it.
“The total land area proposed to be reclaimed is 740 cents, and its sale will fund the project, similar to the process in which the Goshree Bridges were constructed,” said the report. The proposed bridge is expected to cost around Rs. 60 crore.
Mr. Vadhyar told reporters here the reclaimed plots could fetch maximum if placed on global tender, as the view there is overwhelming.
The proposed design for the bridge has provisions to support water transport, tourism and fishing. Space has been marked out for restaurant, ice cream kiosk and children’s play area, along with a car park. Also proposed is cable car facility to cash in on the panoramic view.
Village residents complain that even when the city is just 4 km away they have to commute 16 to 18 km along the National Highway-47 and past four traffic signals to reach it now. The Kumbalam Residents Association presented a memorandum to the government through Minister for Excise K. Babu. Office bearers of the association held a day’s fast in protest on October 2.
