Kochi: A
new road connectivity is emerging for Kochi to NH 17 at Paravoor with
the government giving in-principle nod for the construction of four new
bridges linking four islands. These bridges announced by the Chief
Minister on Sunday are the Moolampilli-Pizhala bridge,  Pizhala minor
bridge,  Pizhala-Valiya Kadamakkudi  bridge and Valiya
Kadamakkudi-Chathanad bridge.

The Goshree Island
Development Authority (GIDA) which will construct these bridges at a
cost of Rs 160 crore will also lay a 4.5 km-long road with 22-metre
width from ICTT road at Moolampilli to Chathanad near Paravoor. The road
from Chathanad is already extending up to NH 17 at Paravoor.

“The
road will effectively link NH17 to NH47 since the ICTT road is
branching out from NH 47 at Kalamassery. It will open up another easy
route for those coming from Guruvayur, Kodungallor, Paravoor and other
northern parts to reach Kochi,” said V D Satheesan, Paravoor MLA, who
has been lobbying for the realization of this route so that the people
of his constituency have ready access to the growing Kochi metro city.

Initially,
the Chathanad-Moolampilli road will be a two-lane road which will later
be developed into a four-lane road to facilitate movement of containers
to northern regions without touching Aluva.
Another road is being
constructed by Fisheries Department from Perumpadanna on
Cherayi-Paravoor road to Chathanad, which will also be another link to
the road to Kochi.

GIDA is now
waiting for the administrative sanction for the Moolampilli-Pizhala
bridge so that the tendering process can be launched.