Respond to plea on bridge, GIDA told

The Kerala High Court on Monday asked the Kerala State Construction Corporation and Goshree Islands Development Authority (GIDA) to respond to a writ petition seeking to ensure completion of the construction of the Moolampilly-Pizhala bridge and connecting roads within the time-frame of the present contract.

The petition was filed by the Kerala Catholic Youth Movement and a resident of Pizhala. The petitioner and others had been putting pressure on the authorities for the speedy completion of the bridge. The foundation for the bridge was laid in December 2013. The construction was stopped purposefully. A portion of the girder had fallen down into the river recently and the work had to be stopped, the petition said.

The petitioners said that the only mode of transportation from Pizhala to the mainland was country boats. The non-completion of the Moolampilly-Chathanad bridge and the road connecting Moolampilly-Pizhala was causing hardships to the islanders.