Muvattupuzha bridge eyes heritage status

Kochi: More than a century after its construction, efforts are underway to preserve and document the history of the iconic Muvattupuzha Old Bridge and transform it into a major heritage destination in the heart of the town. Built in 1914 during the reign of Maharaja Sree Moolam Thirunal and designed by British engineer W H Emerald, the 105-metre-long bridge connects Kacherithazham with Velloorkunnam. Widely regarded as the first concrete bridge built in Asia, it remains functional and continues to be used by the public.The municipality was spurred to act following a submission by local businessman and civic activist Biju Narayanan, who urged authorities to recognize and preserve the structure's historical significance. "The bridge has withstood eleven decades, built with Bowstring technical excellence, and remains fully functional. This landmark deserves global attention and has not been adequately preserved," Narayanan said. One of the most enduring stories associated with the bridge is that elephants were made to walk across it during construction to test its load-bearing capacity, on the orders of the then king. Municipal chairperson Joyce Mary Antony said the civic body's first step would be to obtain council approval to officially declare the bridge a heritage structure, after which it would seek assistance from the state and central govts for its preservation. "Plans include installing information boards and QR codes explaining the bridge's history, restricting heavy vehicles, and partially converting it into a heritage pedestrian corridor to extend its lifespan," Antony said. The municipality also plans to collaborate with engineering college students and historians to gather documented historical records related to the bridge. "Many stories are popular, but we need more documented evidence before formally declaring it a heritage site. It is believed that the original hand-drawn plan by the engineer is still available and efforts are underway to trace it," Antony added.Any renovation work, she clarified, would be undertaken only after careful study and expert consultation.
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