Urgent steps needed to save Kallai bridge, say greens

Group of 70 travels upstream to assess condition of river

A group of environmentalists has called for the immediate intervention of authorities to save the bridge across the Kallai river in Kozhikode. They found the bridge weak due to lack of care and repair during the first phase of a study tour organised on Tuesday, under the banner of the All Kerala River Protection Committee.

The group of around 70 persons, including locals, fishermen, students and environmentalists, travelled upstream, starting from the Kothi bridge at the river mouth up to Kaduppini, assessing the condition of the river and analysing the extent of damage to the bridge. A report prepared by the group will soon be submitted to the District Collector.

The concrete from the bridge had fallen off in most parts and banyan saplings had grown in every crack, weakening the structure, said T.V. Rajan, general secretary of the committee, who led the group.