Thiruvananthapuram: The land acquisition process for the new Vallakadavu bridge is nearing its final stages, with the finance department expected to approve the release of Rs 58 crore for the remaining landowners within a week. This will enable the Public Works Department (PWD) to conclude acquisition proceedings and move forward with the project.
The govt has already granted administrative approval and disbursed Rs 39.8 crore for the first phase of land acquisition, which has been paid to the majority of the landowners.
"Around 90% of the required land has already been acquired. The technical committee formed by the govt inspected the site two weeks ago and submitted a report. We are now waiting for the finance department's approval to disburse the remaining funds to cover the compensation for 15 landowners. The clearance is expected in a week, following a cabinet decision. Once the compensation is paid, tenders for the bridge construction are expected to be invited within the next couple of months," said a senior PWD official.
The Vallakadavu bridge project has been a long-standing demand of local residents following the closure of the 136-year-old bridge in 2022 due to its deteriorated condition. A temporary bridge, built parallel to the old structure, currently facilitates vehicular movement.
The revenue department initiated the process of collecting documents from 47 landowners for the bridge project on Oct 27, 2022. By May 2023, the project received administrative sanction with an initial allocation of Rs 39 crore.
The old Vallakadavu bridge, which served as a vital link between Thiruvananthapuram city, coastal areas, and the airport, was closed in 2022 due to its dilapidated condition. To ensure uninterrupted connectivity, the PWD constructed a temporary bridge nearby. Initially, Rs 5 crore was allocated for the new bridge but the estimated cost has risen due to land acquisition requirements and design modifications.
The construction of the new bridge will require one acre of land. It will be located to the left of the temporary bridge in the direction of Valiyathura and will span 500 meters in length.