Mon Jan 13 20:03:24 UTC 2025: ## Kochi Demands New Bridges to Ease Traffic Congestion
**KOCHI, January 14, 2025** – Growing traffic congestion on the Ernakulam-Vypeen corridor has intensified calls for the construction of two new bridges parallel to the existing first and third Goshree bridges. The demand is fueled by the anticipated surge in vehicles once the Munambam-Azheekode bridge connecting Thrissur and Ernakulam opens.
Activists and local officials cite the narrow two-lane width of the existing bridges as a major safety hazard, leading to frequent accidents and severe traffic jams during peak hours. They urge the Goshree Islands Development Authority (GIDA) to utilize a portion of its ₹403 crore budget to address this critical infrastructure need.
While GIDA acknowledges the urgency and the numerous demands for the new bridges, officials state that approximately ₹350 crore is already allocated to ongoing projects within the Goshree region. They emphasize the need for additional funding from the state government to undertake the bridge construction, noting that land acquisition on the northern side is already underway.
The issue was raised in the Legislative Assembly in 2024, with Public Works Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas confirming preliminary work had begun. The existing second Goshree bridge already benefits from a parallel bridge built by the National Highways Authority of India over a decade ago. The call for the new bridges highlights the need for proactive infrastructure development to cope with the increasing traffic volume in the region.
First Piper 