Varapuzha Bridge

In recent times, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has taken away NH 17 and has decided to increase the toll rates at the Varapuzha Bridge. The people who reside near the bridge have been informed about the hike. The PWD officials are of the opinion that the road was given to NHAI for the purpose of widening.

Geography

It is positioned on NH 17, it is the foremost bridge in Kerala to be constructed via balanced cantilever technique and also the primary bridge in Kerala where Caisson hovering technique was used. This bridge helped to reduce the space amid Malabar and Kochi. The vehicles started to run on Varapuzha Bridge from 16 January 2001. This bridge has won the national award for being the most excellent bridge of Indian Institute of Bridge Engineers.

According to the plans, the NHAI will lay the foundation of a four line road there. The rates for doing this have been increased. The Highway Protection Council has decided to revolt against this decision. The distance between Kumbalam Toll to Varapuzha Toll is only of 25 km for which the people have to pay exorbitant taxes without availing the benefits. The toll tax for the buses have been increased from Rs. 15 to Rs. 75 and that of a one way trip through the bridge has been increased from Rs. 5 to Rs. 25. This was done to impose toll over Edappally Bridge indirectly by amalgamating the construction of the two bridges.

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