Kerala - Kochi   

At the receiving end

It is a debate that Kochiites are keenly watching. It is interesting to see the bigwigs take a stand when it comes to the crunch.

The Government, Port Trust and the navy are embroiled in a blame game that is likely to cost the people much.

The question is about building a bridge parallel to the now unsafe Venduruthy bridge. For the second time in about three years, a dredger deployed by the port hit one of the pillars of the bridge, shaking its foundation as well as the confidence of the people in using it.

The indifference of the navy and the port to the State's plea to share the construction cost is likely to affect the people most. The Public Works Department started work on a new bridge in December 2004 on this promise. The 612-metre, two-lane bridge is being built at an estimated cost of Rs.32 crore. As another bridge has come up connecting the city's southern suburb to the islands, making a connectivity for airport and seaport, the port is not interested. The navy, it seems, is waiting for Central clearance. With the deadline of December not very far off, the people will perhaps be heartened to see a more positive action.

Shyama Rajagopal

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