A long-awaited connection is coming to Perumbalam island. The new bridge spanning Vembanad Lake, which will offer direct road access to the mainland, is slated to open by December 2025, according to MLA Daleema Jojo.
During a recent site visit on Monday, Ms. Jojo personally assessed the final stages of the construction. She confirmed that the primary bridge structure is now complete, with substantial progress evident on the approach roads. Specifically, the Vaduthala side’s approach road is 95% finished, while the Perumbalam side is 70% done. The MLA expressed confidence that the entire project will reach completion by December.
This impressive bowstring arch bridge stretches 1,157 meters in length and measures 11 meters wide. It connects Perumbalam with Vaduthala in Arookutty and features 30 spans, with three dedicated as navigation spans. Twenty-seven of these spans are 35 meters each, while the three central spans are 55 meters long. The bridge’s carriageway provides 7.5 meters of width for vehicles, complemented by 1.5-meter-wide footpaths on both sides. Once fully operational, the connecting approach roads will extend for a total of 600 meters.
The completion of this bridge fulfills a critical and long-standing request from the residents of Perumbalam, which is Alappuzha’s sole island grama panchayat. Its opening is set to dramatically simplify daily commutes for approximately 15,000 islanders who currently rely solely on boats to travel between their homes and the mainland, offering a much-needed, hassle-free alternative.
This significant infrastructure project, costing ₹100 crore, is being generously funded by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB).