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BRIDGE to SEA CHANGE?
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The Goshree Bridge, connecting mainland Ernakulam to a cluster of islands, is sure to usher in a drastic change in the lives of the people there. TANYA ABRAHAM talks to some islanders.
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KOCHI IS now on the threshold of economic development, bustling with energy that exudes from industry and commerce. Its skyline no longer remains static. Instead, it proudly projects new ventures that extend beyond the pale of concepts once thought possible. One such is the Goshree Bridge project that now stretches out across the backwaters towards the islands of Bolghatty, Mulavukadu, Vallarpadam and Vypeen.
With a total length of two kilometres and a two-lane carriageway along with a pedestrian path, this 84 crore project is what the visionaries of yesteryear promised to be the salvation of the islanders of West Kochi, numbering 3.5 lakhs.
No doubt true. But it leaves us little to decipher what lies in the minds of these individuals, who, for years on end, suffered the extreme consequences of a less developed area. Scarce drinking water coupled with dry and marshy water holes, and the intolerable mosquito menace, which they term "the bane of their existence". So, the question remains, will the bridges bearing water pipe lines solve this terrible deficiency, elevating these areas to platforms of plenty?
For the Elankunnapuzha Panchayat (Vypeen) President, Roseline, the answer is a definite yes. "As long as the water authorities are not in cahoots with lorry owners in this regard. Even now we have the facilities to receive water via barges, which work out cheaper, but have been lying redundant. When the bridges are completed, there will be ample facilities for the easy availability of water through pipelines, but whether this will be fruitful, will depend on the authorities concerned, to provide water or not."
She explains that the lines laid 20 years ago, were to cater to the fewer number of people who inhabited the region at the time (26,000 voters as against 56,000 voters today). What initially had a six-kilo pressure has now trickled to a mere 0.005-kilo pressure, a situation the panchayat feels is "the result of deliberate and careless acts of the authorities concerned."
In addition to the crux of the water issue, the president emphasises the urgent need for connecting roads from the main road to the interiors of the island. A lack of which, she says, "will end up with the existing roads unable to bear the intense traffic as well as the increase in tonnage from the heavy vehicles. The roads remain narrow and `kuchha,' catering to single lane traffic."
Thus, once these issues are dealt with and the structure for growth is created, it appears, the people of these islands are bound to experience the benefits of development. That Vypeen, along with the other islands, would soon be a part of the growing economy of Kochi, maybe, even a subsidiary of Ernakulam.
It is this that a retired teacher from Vypeen calls, "the only means to escape from the pit of redundancy." Explaining the benefits bound to reach the coming generations, this 62-year-old explains the bridges will increase the land value of these areas, bring in industrialisation and better the standard of living of its inhabitants.
He says, "Although I may not be around to witness the benefits, the future generations will reap from it. We cannot ask for anything better."
But, there are others who cannot comprehend the concept of long-term economic development. Where, the theory of `the future' appears to be of little concern, when they "strive to survive the day." They explain, that, few realise the hardships they endure to earn a living, let alone think of a comfortable lifestyle.
So, when Narayanan, a 58-year-old retired army personnel, running a tea shop near the Vypeen boat jetty realised the bridge would result in poor business, he expressed concern. "Once the boats stop plying, I will lose my customers who stop by for a bite before continuing their journey. True, we will have easy access to Ernakulam city once the bridge is completed, and there is bound to be benefits in the future, but what happens today is my concern. What about us?" he asks.
It leaves us with the truth, that economic development may be viewed sceptically. That some are bound to face the brunt of change. But, for all reasons, projects such as the Goshree Bridge will remain the stepping-stone to the next level of development.
To a more prosperous Kochi.
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Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
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