The proposal to conserve the 80-year-old Venduruthy Bridge built by the British as a heritage structure is set to gain momentum, with people’s representatives and the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA) expressing keenness to take it ahead.

The bridge, which was opened to traffic in 1938, provided the crucial connectivity between the city and Willingdon Island till the Public Works Department (PWD) built a parallel bridge in 2011. Its build quality is evident from the fact that it survived the impact of two collisions by a dredger deployed by Cochin Port Trust.

According to K.V. Thomas, MP, a plan to conserve the bridge and hew out a walkway with kiosks/eateries was under the consideration of the previous UDF government. “I submitted memoranda to the State and Central governments, seeking speedy initiation of conservation measures so that the unused bridge is developed as a tourism spot,” said Mr. Thomas, who ushered in a slew of innovative schemes during his tenure as State Tourism Minister.

Meanwhile, an IIA office-bearer said that the organisation was focused on taking ahead the bridge’s conservation along with offering expertise in developing tourism in Fort Kochi, Mattancherry, and Thripunithura. A detailed study has to be done on the conservation of the structure and its conversion into an open space, since it is in the vicinity of sensitive establishments like the Naval Base and Cochin Shipyard, he added.

Architect S. Gopakumar, who is also the president of Better Kochi Response Group (BKRG), said that the NGO had suggested opening up the heritage structure during evenings for setting up a ‘flea market’ which abound in Goa and Brazil.

He cited the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and the Brooklyn Bridge in New York as examples of heritage structures which draw crowds. “We need to conserve and respect our heritage. Imaginative ideas like opening kiosks in containers can be thought of,” Mr. Gopakumar said. The corporation is willing to pursue the project if bodies like the IIA come up with concrete proposals, said Shiny Mathew, chairperson of the town planning standing committee.

“The civic council can pass a resolution, following which it can be taken up with the State government. On its part, the PWD too must approve the project since the bridge was being maintained by them,” she said.

A proposal to convert the Old Mattancherry Bridge into a heritage structure was shelved after it was decided to permit two/three-wheelers and light vehicles to use the facility.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kochi / by John L. Paul / March 26th, 2018