FRAG, bus operators are looking for bridges parallel to the first and third Goshree bridges

Worsening traffic congestion on the first of the three Goshree bridges has prompted calls to widen it. | Photo credit: H. VIBHU

Welcoming the proposal to build a two-lane bridge parallel to the first of the trio of Goshree bridges, the Apex Council of the Federation of Goshree Islands Resident Associations (FRAG) and bus operators from the region have also demanded a bridge parallel to the third bridge in view of the coming influx of vehicles as the Munambam-Azhiko bridge connects the bridge at Thkulu and Thukulu for several months. time.

The bridges, especially the first one that connects the city to Bolgatty Island, witness huge traffic jams every day as they are only two lanes wide. The second bridge is four-lane, the parallel bridge was commissioned ten years ago.

“The state government and the Goshree Islands Development Authority (GIDA) must initiate proactive measures for the two parallel bridges, especially after GIDA acquired land on their northern side 25 years ago, as it foresees the need to construct four-lane bridges connecting the city to the densely populated islands. The prevailing traffic snarl will worsen as more vehicles to and from Thrissur come back again,” the undercover vessel said.

GIDA also needs to widen and rebuild the junction after the first bridge as the routing of vehicles on the roundabout is unscientific. For now, the traffic police should take steps to divert two-wheelers through the space set aside as footpaths on the north and south sides of the first Goshree bridge during the morning and evening rush hours. This will ensure optimal use of the space above the two-lane bridge.

The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), on its part, must run more buses from the city to Munambam and North Paravur from early morning to at least 11 pm to avoid commuters having to rely on private vehicles and autorickshaws, he said.

On the proposal to build a two-lane bridge parallel to the first Goshree bridge, Tony Chammany, Vypeen MLA, said the government had sanctioned ₹25 lakh to the public works department to conduct soil testing for the structure. “This was followed by the preparation of its proposal and detailed project report. The project will be implemented within a time limit keeping in mind the acute traffic congestion. Regarding additional KSRTC buses, I submitted a memorandum in this regard to the transport minister in June,” Chammany said.

PK Lenin, president of the Private Bus Operators Association (Vypeen-North Paravur region), narrated how commuters and bus operators have a torturous time as it often takes 18 minutes to cross the narrowed High Court Junction-Kalamukku stretch. Under the terms of the permit, buses should cover the distance in eight minutes. In this situation, the government must allocate funds for widening the first and third Goshree bridges, while the sinking approaches of the second bridge must be increased, he said.

Published – 25 Oct 2026 07:00 IST