Chamravattom RcB to bridge dreams of Ponnani

PONNANI: For the natives of Malabar, their dream for a better connectivity with South Kerala will become a reality on Thursday when Chief Minister Oommen Chandy dedicates Chamravattom regulator-cum-bridge (RcB) to the nation. It will not only bring prosperity to Malabar, but the entire state will be benefited by the bridge. It will bring down the Ernakulam-Kozhikode route by 35 km and also cut short the journey time by 90 minutes.“People have been talking about this bridge for almost 50 years. The foundation stone for the project was laid two to three times. But it has only come true now. It is the largest regulator-cum-bridge in the state”, K T Jaleel MLA told Express.The bridge is 978 metre long and 10.5 metre wide. It is built across the Bharathapuzha connecting Ponnani and Tirur.At present, the people have to go via Kuttippuram to reach Tirur or use the ferry service from Ponnani.“It is a long dream for natives of Ponnani and Tirur. The inauguration was postponed several times. The opening of the bridge will save the time wasted by taking the long route via Kuttippuram to reach Tirur or Ponnani,” P Mohammed, a native of Tirur, said.Fourteen panchayats and two municipalities will benefit by this project.The regulator across the river will help preserve water up to 14.2 feet. This water can then be distributed in areas where drinking water shortage is a problem during the summer season. The water can also be used for irrigation purposes. Nearly 10,000 hectares of farmland can be thus irrigated.More over, 70 shutters of 12 metre length and 4 metre height are built in the regulator-cum-bridge which will control the water preservation.It will also protect the area from flood in the monsoon season.The foundation stone for the project was laid by then Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan on September 13, 2009. The project cost is estimated at Rs 130 crore.