Alappuzha, 06 March (H.S.): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate a series of major infrastructure projects in Alappuzha district on Friday morning, marking a significant boost to road connectivity and transport facilities in the region.

The Chief Minister will formally inaugurate the renovated Alappuzha–Changanassery Road, popularly known as the AC Road, at 10 a.m. The highway has been rebuilt at a cost of ₹752 crore as part of the Rebuild Kerala Initiative. The project was executed under the supervision of the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP) of the Public Works Department and has been developed as a semi-elevated highway to improve traffic flow and reduce flooding issues in the low-lying Kuttanad region.

Along with the AC Road, the Chief Minister will also inaugurate the newly constructed Padaharam Bridge, built at a cost of ₹65.5 crore, and the Kavalam Thattassery Bridge project. The Padaharam Bridge was constructed with financial assistance from the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) and implemented under the supervision of the Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB).

Kerala Public Works Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas will preside over the inaugural ceremony. Ministers K.N. Balagopal, Saji Cherian and P. Prasad will also attend the event. Among those expected to address the gathering are Members of Parliament K.C. Venugopal and Kodikunnil Suresh, as well as MLAs Thomas K. Thomas, H. Salam, P.P. Chitharanjan, Job Michael, Dalima Jojo, U. Prathibha, M.S. Arun Kumar and Ramesh Chennithala.

Alappuzha District Panchayat President A. Mahendran, former ministers T.M. Thomas Isaac and G. Sudhakaran, along with several officials and public representatives, will also participate in the function.

Following the programme at Mankombu, the Chief Minister will proceed to inaugurate the Perumbalam Bridge at 11 a.m., dedicating it to the residents of the island. Public Works Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas will chair the function there as well.

The Perumbalam Bridge, constructed across the Vembanad Lake, is the longest bridge built across a backwater stretch in Kerala. Built at a cost of ₹100 crore with funding from KIIFB, the bridge is expected to transform connectivity for the residents of Perumbalam island, which is surrounded by the Vembanad Lake on all sides.

For decades, island residents and visitors depended primarily on boat services for travel. The new bridge is expected to end the long-standing transportation hardships faced by the community and significantly improve access to essential services and economic opportunities.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman