The Bairakuppa bridge project was all set to be revived after 32 years in limbo

A view of the Bairakuppa kadavu where the residents depend on the canoe service. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

The proposed Bairakuppa Bridge over the Kabani river, which would provide a vital link between Wayanad and neighboring Karnataka, is finally being revived after decades in limbo.

Last week, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra announced during a tour of the hill district that she had urged Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to speed up the project, which has been languishing for 32 years since its foundation stone was laid.

Ms. Vadra, who visited the project site, said the bridge is expected to be completed under the Central Road Infrastructure Development Fund. A fortnight ago, Mr Shivakumar had also assured Public Works Minister PK Basheer during his visit to Bengaluru that the Karnataka government would take steps to expedite the project.

The bridge project connecting Bairakuppa and Mullankolly Kadavu was conceived in 1994, with the foundation stone jointly laid by former Kerala Chief Minister K. Karunakaran and former Karnataka Chief Minister M. Veerappa Moily.

The 160-metre bridge, estimated to cost around ₹ 2 crore at the time, was to provide an alternative route to Mysuru and Bengaluru via HD Kote, reducing the Kalpetta–Mysuru travel distance by 110 km from 140 km.

Currently, residents on both sides of the Kabani River rely on canoe services for their daily commute. At times, about 500 passengers a day use the crossing, which is currently carried by only five to eight canoes.

“Earlier, the Karnataka government had raised objections to the project as the proposed highway link route was passing through forest land and the matter was delayed due to insufficient felling of forests. However, the Karnataka government has now laid a road over revenue land as part of an irrigation project, bypassing the limited forest area,” said IC Balakrishnan, Sulthanbathery MLA.

During the monsoon season, the increased flow of the river causes considerable difficulties for commuters, including school children.

Residents are forced to use the longer road route via Bavali and Kattikulam, which passes through forest areas and daily travel, especially at night, is very inconvenient.

“Once the monsoon sets in and the water level rises, the number of students attending classes at Perikkalloor Higher Secondary School drops significantly. Besides, commuting becomes a big challenge for those traveling to work in Pulpally and Perikkalloor,” said Binu Madhavan, a resident of Bairakuppa.

“The non-existence of the bridge has made it difficult for people living on the Bairakuppa kadavu side to access hospitals and schools in Perikkalloor,” added Ratish Raju, a resident of Mullankolla.

Published – 29 Jun 2026 19:45 IST