Thodupuzha: After 125 days, Vagamon's popular glass bridge, India's longest cantilever glass bridge, has been reopened. It was closed a few months ago, citing safety concerns. The bridge received the green light to reopen after the authorities agreed to follow all the recommendations in the interim report by the civil engineering department at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Kozhikode.
From the 3,600-foot bridge at Kolahalamedu, visitors can enjoy sights from far-off spots like Kokkayar, Kuttikkal and Mundakkayam. The nearby park with sky wing, sky cycling, giant swing, sky roller, zipline and rocket injector facilities provides the thrill of adventure to visitors.
The 40-metre bridge can accommodate 15 people at a time, and around 600 tourists visited the spot on the reopening day. Idukki DTPC Secretary Jitheesh Jose said that, following the NIT recommendations, stricter checks will be conducted to ensure safety.
Keep these in mind while planning a visit to the glass bridge:
1) Visitors are allowed from 9 am to 5.30 pm.
2) The ticket costs Rs 250 per person
3) Tourists can spend a maximum of 6 minutes.
4) In case of inclement weather, the bridge's operations will be halted until conditions clear.
5) Children who must be carried are not allowed on the bridge. Kids who can walk independently, regardless of age, are given entry. "This is a safety precaution, as you can experience strong winds on the bridge," Jose said. "Visitors won't be allowed to carry their kids after entering the bridge."
6) Senior citizens with difficulty walking are also not allowed entry for safety reasons.
7) Do not run or play on the bridge. Move carefully, holding the rails.
8) On busy days, Tourists can experience two to three hours of waiting time. During this time, they can explore the adventure park features.
9) When you purchase the ticket, you will be given a time slot to enter the bridge. Try to stick to it, especially on busy days.
10) The bridge is open seven days a week but experiences crowds on weekends and public holidays, just like all other tourist spots in Idukki. Heavy traffic en route is also possible. Plan your tour while keeping these aspects in mind.