The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : West Kochiites badly hit by traffic curbs across bridge

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Sunday, Aug 01, 2004

Kerala

Kerala - Kochi

West Kochiites badly hit by traffic curbs across bridge

By Our Staff Reporter

KOCHI, JULY 31. Traffic curbs across the Venduruthy bridge have hit residents of West Kochi and Navy personnel very badly. And the private bus stir has only added to their woes.

Even before the bridge developed a crack after a dredger rammed against it and curbs imposed, traffic jams were a regular feature across the bridge.

Now with traffic being regulated, crossing the bridge has become a nightmare for motorists.

The City Traffic Police said that vehicles that weigh over six tonnes are being diverted through the Kundanoor UP bridge. This in turn has created traffic snarls between Thevara and the bridge.

With no end in sight to the private bus stir, the two-wheeler and four-wheeler traffic to the city from West Kochi and Wellingdon Island has increased. Many others are depending on parallel services.

Fleecing commuters

A Fort Kochi resident, Mark Peter, said that the operators of the parallel services were charging more than double the bus fare. As traffic movement was restricted through the Venduruthy bridge, those who come to the city through the UP bridge have to pay dual toll.

Report awaited

Sources in the Cochin Port Trust (CPT), which maintains the bridge, said that two-way traffic would be restored only after the damage to the road is repaired. "The technical report of the railways will be ready by Monday and a final decision on the rail and road bridges will be taken then.

Early restoration of rail link too is important since movement of goods and containers has been badly affected. The CPT is willing to pool in finance and technical know-how," they said.

Dredger's role confirmed

Meanwhile, railway sources said that primary investigation had confirmed that the dredger, Kamal 28, had rammed into the pile of the railway bridge and this had led to the rail line and the road getting damaged. The rail portion of the bridge suffered more damage.

"The Railway Protection Force and its intelligence wing conducted the preliminary investigation. Remnants of the dredger's black paint was found on the damaged portion of the bridge.

There were dents on the dredger's body as well," the sources said.

A fisherman confirmed that he had seen the dredger crash into the bridge on Thursday morning.

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