The much-delayed Kumbalanghi-Ezhupunna Bridge was thrown open to motorists on Friday by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
The bridge that links West Kochi with Ezhupunna in Alappuzha will considerably reduce travelling time for commuters. Before the construction of the bridge, getting to Ezhupunna was difficult as people had to wade through heavy traffic along the NH 47 or be ferried by boat.
Speaking on the occasion in Kumbalanghi, Mr Chandy attributed the delay in opening the bridge to problems in land acquisition. He assured that administrative sanction will be given simultaneously for the approach roads to the bridge to avoid further delay. As per the initial timeline, the bridge should have been commissioned in 2006.
Minister for Excise and Ports K. Babu inaugurated a bus stand near the bridge in Kumbalanghi. Minister for Public Works V.K. Ebrahim Kunju presided over the function, while MLAs Dominic Presentation and A.M. Arif addressed the gathering. Mr Presentation flagged off KSRTC buses through the bridge.