The Kumarakom Konathattu new bridge will be temporarily opened for traffic starting today (13/10/2025) evening.
Since construction is still ongoing, traffic will be restricted to one side only.
Traffic will temporarily commence from tomorrow over the new Konathattu bridge on the Kottayam-Kumarakom road, concluding a long period of waiting. Vehicles, including buses, will be allowed to pass over the bridge.
The construction of the approach road near the existing bund road on the Aatamangalam Church side of the bridge, as well as subsequent works on the western side of the bridge, still need to be completed, necessitating the current traffic restrictions.
Though temporary, the main benefit of the bridge opening is for commuters relying on bus services on the Kottayam-Vaikom and Kottayam-Cherthala routes.
Currently, as large vehicles are not permitted on the bund road, passengers have to alight from buses at both ends of the bridge, walk across to the other side, and board a waiting bus to continue their journey.
In addition to this inconvenience, heavy traffic congestion during peak hours has also caused considerable difficulty.
The plan is to expedite the work on the bridge's entry sections once the rain stops and weather conditions are favorable, aiming to start traffic flow by evening.
The official inauguration of the bridge, including the completion of tarring, will take place at a later date.
Given the President's visit to Kumarakom on the 23rd of this month, traffic will continue on the bund road alongside the new bridge. The main section of the road will be arranged by laying tiles.
It is hoped that this will alleviate, to some extent, the travel difficulties experienced by Kumarakom residents for years.
Construction of the new bridge commenced on November 1, 2022, following the demolition of the old structure, which had a width of only four meters.
Here are the main details regarding the temporary opening of the Kumarakom Konathattu new bridge:
- When will it open: Starting from today evening.
- Traffic Arrangement: Due to ongoing construction, traffic will be allowed on one side only.
- Beneficiaries: The main benefit is for commuters who depend on bus services on the Kottayam - Vaikom and Kottayam - Cherthala routes.
- Current Difficulty: Currently, since large vehicles are not allowed through the bund road, passengers had to get off the bus on both banks of the bridge, walk to the other side, and board the next bus waiting there to continue their journey. In addition, traffic congestion during peak hours also caused significant hardship.
- Objective of Opening: It is hoped that this will resolve the travel difficulties to some extent.
- Further Work: Construction of the approach road near the existing bund road on the Aatamangalam Church side of the bridge, and subsequent works on the western side of the bridge, need to be completed.
- Official Inauguration: The official inauguration, including the completion of tarring, will take place later.
- President's Visit: Since the President is scheduled to visit Kumarakom on the 23rd of this month, traffic will continue on the bund road alongside the new bridge.
- Old Bridge: The construction of the new bridge began on November 1, 2022, after demolishing the old bridge, which had a width of only four meters.