A long-standing wish of the islanders remains unfulfilled as the three Goshree bridges turn 15 on Wednesday.
Their demand for permitting public transport buses coming via Goshree bridges to enter the city has been hanging fire for lack of concerted efforts by the authorities concerned. Ever since the trio of Goshree bridges were inaugurated on June 5, 2004, buses from the islands terminated their service near the High Court Junction and passengers were forced to board different buses for their onward journey to destinations within the city.
The administration claims that buses coming from the islands will add to the traffic congestion in the city.
“But it is just an excuse to help the bus operators in the city, who feel that their collections will be hit once buses from Goshree islands enter the city,” said Majnu Komath, chairman of the Goshree Action Council.
Recalling the relentless pursuit and agitations for making the islanders’ wish a reality, Mr. Komath said the position taken by those opposing the demand would not stand as the city infrastructure had received a facelift. “We have new roads and facilities such as the Mobility Hub at Vyttila, which can accommodate city services from the islands,” he said.
The Action Council is remembered for its central role in a mammoth protest on August 22, 1989, in which the islanders bridged the Bolghatty-Ernakulam waters by using 400 traditional boats. The Goshree bridges continue to remain an emotion for the people of Bolghatty-Mulavukadu, Vallarpadam and Vypeen islands.
The bridges were conceived by social reformer and minister in the erstwhile Kochi Assembly Sahodaran Ayyappan. The project took firm shape after the formation of the Goshree Islands Development Authority in 1994, which was initially named CIDA after Cochin Islands Development Authority. The foundation for the bridges was laid on December 29, 2000. The work on the bridges was inaugurated on August 24, 2001.