New bridge inaugurated

KOCHI: Inching closer to easing the traffic congestion along the Sahodaran Ayyappan (SA) road, Union Mister of State for Food & Public Distribution K V Thomas inaugurated the Puthenpalam Bridge at Elamkulam, Kadavanthra on Friday. The construction of the bridge is completed using Rs 3.5 crore from the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) funds. The bridge is 7.5-metres wide and 33-metres long.Minister Thomas opined that the timely completion of projects will ensure that their expenditure will not exceed the estimate proposed.Excise Minister K Babu, who was the chief guest, said that Kerala State makes minimum use of the JNNURM funds.  “Although an additional fund of Rs 48 crore has been set aside for land acquisition under the JNNURM, it is seldom utilised,” he added. Mayor Tony Chammany presided over the function.Education Standing Committee chairman R Thyagarajan welcomed the gathering.