Munnar residents demand Bailey bridge to manage tourist surge
Vehicular movement has been diverted to a narrow bridge near Munnar police station
As the anticipation for the Neelakurinji flowering season grows, the local Munnar panchayat has urged the government to build a Bailey bridge to handle the anticipated influx of tourists during the upcoming Onam festival. The surge in visitors is expected to cause traffic congestion on the main route connecting Munnar town, which was recently disrupted by a mudslide and a collapsed road near the Munnar CSI church.
The existing bridge is deemed too narrow and structurally compromised, having suffered damage during the 2018 floods. Munnar panchayat president S. Vijayakumar highlighted that the narrow bridge near the police station has led to lengthy traffic jams, forcing vehicles from Adimaly, Marayur and surrounding areas to use it for entering the town.
The panchayat has written to the Chief Minister, Revenue Minister, and Tourism Minister, requesting an emergency Bailey bridge construction. G. Sojan, coordinator of the My Munnar Movement, emphasized that the hill station has experienced a severe traffic crisis since the July mudslide. The Munnar CSI church route was recently reopened for single-lane traffic, but the region remains vulnerable to future mudslides, which could prompt another traffic restriction.
Officials stated that a Bailey bridge would prevent recurrent traffic blocks in Munnar during the expected tourist rush. This year, the Neelakurinji is anticipated to bloom on the Chokramudy, Meeshapulimala, Edalimedu, Sevenmalai, and Gundumala hills of Munnar, with some isolated plants already showing signs of early flowering.
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