Construction work of bridge gathers steam at South station

The construction work of the bridge undertaken by the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) at the eastern entry of south railway station is fast progressing and is likely to be completed in six months.

Piling work is under way at present and it is likely to be completed within a fortnight.

“Though we have set a target of six months, the bridge may in all likelihood be completed before that,” said GCDA chairman N. Venugopal.

Investment of Rs.1.22 crore for the bridge is being partially contributed by Hibi Eden from his MLA fund while the rest is borne by GCDA.

The two-lane bridge will be 30-metre-long and 12-feet wide with a separate duct for cables.

The bridge when completed will be a vital lifeline opening up access to the eastern entry, which is being increasingly chosen by train passengers and their relatives who come to drop them, from various points in the city. At present, there is no link giving access to passengers from the eastern entry to Kadavanthra and Vyttila except for a narrow walkway. Similarly, passengers bound for the western entry have to wade through the busy south overbridge.

“GCDA embarked on the project realising this predicament of passengers. The commissioning of the bridge will help passengers avoid the already congested south overbridge and ensures smooth access to both the eastern and western entries of the south railway station,” Mr. Venugopal said.