Title - Move to demolish overbridge opposed

The local people have come out against the move to demolish a railway over-bridge at Muthoor East in Thiruvalla town before constructing a replacement.

A 51-member action council formed by the Kuttappuzha Citizens’ Forum and the Muthoor East Residents’ Association in Thiruvalla, at a meeting on Monday, said the demolition of the old bridge to double the railway line without making alternative arrangements for vehicular and pedestrian traffic would create problems for the people.

The meeting, chaired by Jacob Kurien, municipal councillor, said hundreds of vehicles plied on the overbridge daily, as it was the lone road link between Kuttappuzha and Thiruvalla.

An all-party meeting in Thiruvalla on March 24 had decided not to demolish the bridge before constructing a new bridge parallel to it on the western side. However, vested interests were putting pressure on the Railways for the demolition.

They alleged that the demolition before constructing a new bridge would isolate Kuttappuzha, Muthoor East, Mar Thoma College, Varikkad, Paipad, Kunnamthanam and Mallappally on the northern side from Thiruvalla town and the railway station, Medical Mission Hospital, Pushpagiri Medical College, Mar Thoma Residential School and various government offices on the southern side at least for two years.