Cherai Bridge in Ernakulam, a vital connection between Vypin island and the mainland, is reportedly showing extensive signs of deterioration, with damaged concrete, exposed reinforcement bars and weakened approach-road retaining walls raising concerns about the safety of daily traffic.
A report by Mathrubhumi said the bridge, which is more than six decades old, carries thousands of small and large vehicles each day between the Vypin-Munambam region and surrounding areas. It also serves as a key entry point to Cherai, one of Kerala’s prominent tourist destinations.
Concrete has reportedly peeled away from several parts of the bridge. The underside beams show signs of ageing and inadequate maintenance, while concrete layers on many of the 64 piers supporting the structure over the Veeranpuzha have broken away, leaving steel reinforcement visible. The condition has prompted concerns among local residents about whether the bridge’s structural strength has been affected.
Vegetation, including banyan trees and grass, has also been observed growing in different parts of the bridge. The report said such growth could contribute to cracks in beams and girders. Heavy container vehicles and other large vehicles have increasingly been using the bridge, potentially adding to the strain on an ageing structure, according to the report.
The bridge also carries drinking-water pipes and several cable networks alongside its parallel beams. Any inspection or repair work would therefore need to account for these utilities as well as the continued movement of traffic, although the report does not provide details of a traffic-management plan.
The approach roads on both sides are reported to be in poor condition. Their retaining walls have collapsed in places, with stacked stones becoming loose and soil erosion occurring regularly. Further erosion could destabilise the stone walls and affect the roads below the approaches, creating an additional risk for vehicles and nearby road users.
The bridge has historical importance for Vypin. The demand for a bridge connecting the island to the wider region had been raised since the late 1940s, when the island remained largely cut off from Kerala’s mainland. Construction of the bridge was completed on 29 September 1960. After the approach roads were completed, the 330-foot-long and 22-foot-wide bridge was opened on Republic Day, 26 January 1961, by then Chief Minister Pattom A. Thanu Pillai, according to the report.
Local residents are seeking urgent intervention from officials of the Public Works Department to assess the bridge’s strength and safety. The report does not state whether a formal structural audit, load restriction or repair schedule has yet been announced. The immediate official step sought by residents is an inspection of the bridge and its approaches.
