S.MANIKUMAR,CJ. - (1.) This public interest writ petition is filed by the petitioner, who has claimed himself to be an active social worker and a resident of Manaloor Panchayat, Kanjani. Petitioner has stated that, there is a bridge situated across the Perumbuzha river in Thrissur - Kanjani road and it is the main route of transport used by private vehicles, private transport buses, etc., and around 140 buses were conducting their services through this route and now it is in a dilapidated condition.
(2.) According to the petitioner, the Executive Engineer, Bridges Department, Public Works Department, Ernakulam Division had visited the site and studied the condition of the bridge and accordingly, it was decided to close down the bridge and to start the renovation work. Petitioner has further stated that the bridge is the main route of transportation to Thrissur - Kanjani route and a large number of heavy vehicles are using the bridge for transportation and that, a large number of people are depending on private buses for their transportation.
(3.) Petitioner has also stated that, due to the regulations for the transport of vehicles through Perumbuzha bridge, the public at large is severely affected. Further, the private bus transportation is not allowed through the bridge and, therefore, people have to walk a long distance. According to the petitioner, most of the private bus owners have to stop their services through this route and due to the regulations for light vehicles, there is heavy traffic block. The buses have to stop before the bridge and have to return, without continuing the service. Hence, it is causing a great loss to the private bus owners, and they usually, wait there, by parking in the way to the nearby fields. Therefore, the farmers are not able to take their machineries to their fields for cultivation. Petitioner has produced a report appeared in the Malayala Manorama Daily newspaper on 11.08.2020 (Exhibit-P1), regarding the dilapidated condition of the bridge.;