Residents demand action as Vellayani link cut off

Thiruvananthapuram: Residents near Vellayani Lake and daily commuters from Kakkamoola and Kalliyoor are facing severe hardships due to the ongoing construction of a new bridge along the bund road.
To ease the disruption, a temporary walkway funded with Rs 39 lakh by Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) was proposed. However, construction stopped three months ago, leaving the partially built walkway—comprising soil laid over metal sheets—in a dilapidated state. This has made it extremely difficult for pedestrians, especially the elderly and school children, to cross the area safely.
Locals from Kalliyoor panchayat and Kakkamoola rely on the route to access vital services in Poonkulam, including an agricultural college, a primary health centre, schools, and banks. With the direct route blocked, residents are forced to take a 35-minute detour via Vavvamoola, compared to the earlier 10-minute journey. The suspension of KSRTC bus services due to the bridge work has further worsened the situation.
Work on the Rs 34-crore bridge project began last year under the Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB). Once completed, the bridge is expected to resolve recurring traffic disruptions caused by monsoon flooding from Vellayani Lake, which often overflows the earthen bund road. However, construction is progressing slowly, adding to public frustration.
V Sudharma, ward member of Poonkulam, criticized the project's slow progress and govt inaction. "Despite spending Rs 39 lakh, work has stopped midway. We've raised the issue several times, but there's no clarity. People are suffering," she said. Residents have warned of protests if the issue remains unaddressed.
A KRFB official stated that only half of the allocated amount has been received from KIIFB, delaying further work.
Meanwhile, Kovalam MLA M Vincent stated that steps are being taken to expedite the work. "The fund has been allocated, and I will ensure the walkway is completed on a war footing. Currently, two-wheelers and some pedestrians are using the makeshift path. I understand the public's difficulty and will ensure the work is completed soon. The bridge is expected to be completed by Dec 2025," he said.