Madakkunnu, Wayanad: The dilapidated state of a wooden hanging bridge at Mambilichikadavu in Vengapally grama panchayat in the district of Wayanad, is hindering the normal life of the people in the nearby colonies.
As there are no other means for crossing the river, locals are now forced to take the damaged bridgefor accessing amenities.
All the pillars to the bridge are in a decrepit state and on the edge of collapse, and holding chains have rusted beyond repair. Residents believe that the bridge may collapse any time. About four years ago the authorities had spent around Rs 4 lakh to overhaul the bridge. But a complete lack of any maintenance thereafter is responsible for the current condition of the bridge. Locals have been demanding a permanent bridge for some time now.
A sturdy bridge capable of vehicle transport would connect the panchayats of Padinjarathara, Thariyod, Kottathara and ease the travel time to the proposed medical college. The previous UDF government had plans to allocate Rs 11.64 lakh to the construction of the bridge but the plan never saw the light of day.
The bridge sways dangerously if there is too much weight and could result in throwing off people into the water below. School going children in the Mambilichi colony have shifted to the relatives’ houses on the side of the bridge where the school is located.
Those children who still cross bridge to school have to be accompanied by their parents. Colony resident Balan said this takes away major time from work. As this trouble has been going on for some time, most of them are left without any income for days. The residents want the authorities to pay attention and bring immediate resolution to the problem.
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