Alappuzha (Kerala), March 7 The opening of the Perumbalam Bridge, connecting the Perumbalam island here with the mainland, evoked emotional reactions on Saturday as local people said it was a dream of many generations.
The Rs 100 crore bridge has finally brought an end to decades of travel hardships faced by over 12,000 residents of Perumbalam who had long been dependent on boats to reach the mainland for their various needs. For decades, the daily lives of islanders were solely determined by the schedules of boat services, as there was no other option for them to reach the mainland.
There were boat services in scheduled intervals from the Ernakulam and Alappuzha districts to Perumbalam island.
Many residents were visibly emotional as the bridge was officially opened, ending their long dependence on boat services for daily travel.
"This bridge is our life. Now we can reach hospitals on time, and children can go to school without difficulty," said 90-year-old Narayani, who came to witness the inauguration, reflecting the sentiments of many islanders.
Another woman resident said not just them but many generations had nurtured the dream of having a bridge that frees them from all these hardships.
"Even in the case of medical or other emergencies, we had no other way but to rely upon boats. Travel across the lake was risky during monsoon days. Still, we had no other option," an elderly man said before the inauguration.
Social media pages were also flooded with photos and posts about the new bridge.
"The people of Perumbalam are happy now. Their children's marriages will no longer be delayed, kids can go to school easily, and they no longer have to wait for an ambulance boat to reach the hospital... Thus, the long-cherished dream of an entire community has finally been fulfilled," a netizen posted on his social media page.
Superstar Mammootty also penned an emotional note on Perumbalam Bridge, saying that when two shores connect, it is not merely the distance that changes but the lives of an entire community.
In a message shared by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), the actor said that until recently, Perumbalam had remained an isolated island, where people often faced anxiety in reaching hospitals during emergencies and struggled to commute to work on time.
Hailing from nearby Chempu, he also noted that even marriage proposals sometimes faltered due to the distance between the island and the mainland.
"With the bridge becoming a reality, those long waits and neglect are coming to an end," Mammootty said, recalling that areas like Arookutty, Vaduthala and Perumbalam, once separated by the backwaters, now feel like a single land.
Stressing that true development lies in addressing the hardships of ordinary people, the actor wished that the lives of Perumbalam residents would bloom with colours like the arches of the bridge.
"A life that once felt tied down will now begin to flow with new speed and fresh colours," the actor added, extending his heartfelt wishes to the people of the region.
For the past week, the island had been in a festive mood with various programmes organised by the celebration committee ahead of the inauguration. Men, women and children in festive attire gathered on the bridge to witness the inaugural function.
The inauguration day also saw children turning the bridge into a lively space, cycling and skating along the stretch. Cultural programmes, including percussion performances, a bridge marathon, a flute fusion and a fusion DJ performance, added to the festivities.
People from neighbouring areas also arrived by boats to witness the new landmark, while youth volunteers distributed snacks, sweets and drinking water to those attending the celebrations. Meanwhile, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) launched bus services to the island on the day of the inauguration, fulfilling a government promise.
Three KSRTC buses bearing the destination board "Perumbalam island" were flagged off by Agriculture Minister P Prasad and MLA Dalima Jojo, marking the start of the first official service to Cherthala after the ceremony.
The bridge, illuminated by colourful lights at night, has also begun attracting visitors from nearby districts eager to witness the new addition to Kerala's transport network.
Built at a cost of around Rs 100 crore with funding from the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), the 1,155.40 metres-long bridge is considered one of the flagship infrastructure projects of the ruling LDF government.
Constructed across the scenic Vembanad Lake, the Perumbalam Bridge is the longest bridge in the state, built over a backwater stretch.
The bridge connects Perumbalam island with the Arookutty panchayat under the Aroor Assembly constituency in Alappuzha district.
