KOCHI: Even though Public Works Department (PWD) has decided to ban traffic on the old Mattanchery bridge for repairing work, the officials of the departments concerned have no idea as to when they can start the work or when the bridge can be reopened for traffic.Last month, PWD had placed a board on both ends of the bridge cautioning two-wheeler riders and pedestrians about the dangerous condition of the bridge.With this, hundreds of two and three-wheelers plying the old Mattanchery bridge will have to divert to the new bridge.However, the officials are still not able to say anything on how long people have to wait for the bridge to be reopened. According to the officials at PWD, wooden planks of the bridge are worn-out and the metal sheets are rusted. “The bridge does not have the capacity to bear the weight of vehicles and the renovation works would need a huge amount. We are still awaiting a saction from the state,” PWD executive engineer T I Jose said.“The foundation of the bridge is strong, even the shaft and the girder which help the bridge to be stiff are in good condition. However, the concrete walls on both sides of the bridge and pipes used as hand railings are in a dilapidated state. A few months back, we had submitted a proposal worth `1.1-crore for the beautification of the bridge and works would start immediately once the funds are received,” he added. “The proposal made to the government aims to replace all the rusted parts of the bridge and make it fit for motors again,” he added.“We have received a proposal from PWD and it would be taken into serious consideration as the bridge had to be closed following damages. Tolls will not be collected from the three-wheelers taking the parallel new bridge,” an official at Public Works Ministry said.Before this, the bridge was closed for two weeks in September 2010 for partial renovation works, following which only two-wheelers and autorickshaws were allowed on the bridge. A proposal to conserve old Mattanchery bridge as a heritage monument presented by the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries was also accepted by Public Works Minister Ibrahim Kunju in July 2011.An engineering marvel of Kerala, the bridge was built by Sir Robert Bistrow in 1938 to connect Willingdon Island to Mattanchery, which was the trading hub then. After commissioning a new bridge parallel to the old one in 2001, the old bridge was restricted to two-wheelers and three-wheelers.
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