The Kerala High Court has sharply rebuked the state government for apparent neglect of the Pizhala–Kadamakudy bridge project, calling the lack of progress “a fraud on the people.” The Court, in a suo motu order, questioned why the central segment of the bridge—linking Pizhala to Kadamakudy—remained incomplete despite administrative and technical sanction having been granted years ago. Although the portions from Chathanad to Kadamakudy and from Moolampilly to Pizhala are reportedly in place, the High Court observed that the “middle portion” has been left entirely unaddressed.
During the hearings, the division bench emphasized that while technical and administrative approvals were secured long ago, there was still no clarity on whether financial sanction had actually been released. The Court pressed the government for a definitive status of the project, demanding to know when, if at all, the funds would be allocated to finish the bridge. The bench expressed dismay at the slow pace and apparent lack of commitment to a bridge that holds critical importance for residents of the Goshree islands, particularly the fourteen Kadamakudy islets located near Kochi. It pointed out that, during floods in the past, the absence of seamless connectivity left islanders—who rely on boats for daily needs—vulnerable and isolated.
The Court faulted the government’s approach of executing the bridge in disconnected fragments, describing it as having “started from both ends” but abandoning the essential central stretch. It warned that if the state no longer intended to complete the original plan of connecting Pizhala directly to Kadamakudy, then the project should be formally treated as abandoned. The judges said that instead of merely debating administrative versus technical hurdles, the government should focus on execution and prompt the remaining construction.
To inject accountability into the process, the Court “impleaded” (i.e., formally joined) two key agencies responsible for the project: the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), which is providing the funding, and the Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB), which is tasked with executing the work. The Court urged these bodies to clarify their respective roles, funding timelines, and how they plan to fulfill their obligations to complete the bridge.
Expressing frustration at bureaucratic delays, the Court referenced “Parkinson’s Law,” observing that when agencies are granted open-ended time, progress often slows considerably. It voiced skepticism over whether the lack of visible activity was due to mismanagement or a deeper unwillingness to follow through on the project, calling for stronger enforcement of timelines.
Ultimately, the Court directed the State to submit a clear roadmap: a detailed timeline showing how and when the remaining stretch—the Pizhala–Kadamakudy portion—will be completed. It has scheduled the next hearing for a later date and made it clear that the project’s abandonment is not acceptable without a reasoned, concrete plan to finish the bridge.
0 Comments
Thank you for your response. It will help us to improve in the future.