The construction of the Nerekadavu-Makkekadavu bridge over Vembanad Lake connecting Kottayam and Alappuzha districts is making steady progress.According to Public Works Department officials, of the total 80 girders, the construction of 44 girders has been completed. Further, of the total 22 spans, eight have been finished. Concreting of 200 m from Makkekadavu to Nerekadavu has also been completed.Officials said that they expect the project to be completed in the second half of 2026. Once completed, the bridge, part of the Thuravoor-Pampa highway, will have a length of 800 metres. Of the 22 spans, two are navigation spans in the middle, each having a length of 47.16 metres. The bridge will have footpaths on both sides with a width of 1.5 metres. The approach roads each will have a length of 60 metres.The construction of the bridge got underway in 2016 with an 18-month completion period. However, the work came to a halt midway due to a delay in acquiring land for the construction of approach roads on both sides. Though the land acquisition was completed in 2022 following a High Court directive, the construction firm sought to revise the estimate due to cost escalation, resulting in further delay.The Finance department approved the revised estimate of the project in 2023. Further, the work resumed last year. The project is expected to cost around ₹100 crore.The Thuravoor-Pampa highway passes through Thycattussery, Udayanapuram, Vaikom, Kaduthuruthy, Kuravilangad, Pala, Ponkunnam, and Erumely. It will connect pilgrim centres of the Thuravoor temple, Vaikom, Kaduthuruthy, Ettumanur, and Erumely. Besides, the bridge will connect National Highway 66 at Thuravoor and State Highway 15 at Udayanapuram.Published - February 26, 2025 06:55 pm IST