E. Sreedharan Asks Kerala HC to Realign Bridge to Respect Hindu Sentiments

E. Sreedharan Asks Kerala HC to Realign Bridge to Respect Hindu Sentiments

E Sreedharan, an engineer better known as the ‘metro man’ for his involvement in constructing the Delhi Metro has approached the Kerala High Court complaining that there are social-religious problems that may arise due to an unscientifically located bridge being built across the Bharathapuzha river [E Sreedharar v State of Kerala & ors].

Based on his petition, the current path of the proposed bridge shall separate a trinity of temples by the banks of Bharathapuzha; The Vishnu temple at Thirunavaya at the north bank, the Shiva and the Brahma temple at Thavanur at the south bank.

He has also asserted that the present bridge plan is unscientific and violation of engineering norms and historical structure as samadhi of freedom fighter K Kelappan, who was nicknamed as ‘Kerala Gandhi.

An Acting Bench of Acting Chief Justice A Muhamed Mustaque and Justice S Manu refused to entertain the plea today but asked for the stand of the State in the matter.

The government pleader took a view as it has the piling work for the bridge done and the contractor is on the process of mobilizing resource on the site.

In addition, as raised by the State, no temple property has been acquired for these purposes and the petition was in essence a ploy to stop developmental works going on in the state.

Court said that it would clarify before entertaining the plea, whether any public interest was involved in the case or not.

The Bench stated, “We are not admitting the matter, let the government file a statement’, the Court looked into the question as to whether any public interest is involved.”

With the All gall: Justice A Muhamed Mustaque and Justice S Manu
Justice A Muhamed Mustaque and Justice S Manu.
Sreedharan’s petition have raised issues from the technical, legal and religious standpoints about the construction of the proposed bridge. Most notably, he has pointed out that it is possible that the proposed bridge will have some encroachment of religious and cultural significance of the area.

It is stated in the plea that “The attempt of the Respondents (State authorities) to proceed with construction of the bridge connecting Thiruvanaya and Thanavur by following a non-conventional skew alignment destroying the Smrithi mandapam of Kerala Gandhi Shri. K Kelappan and the other historical structures and violating the sanctity of the Holy Trinity temples situated in the banks of Bharathapuzha, ignoring the

To counter these issues and to avoid the sensitive areas Sreedharan had suggested earlier that southern end of the bridge to be adjusted 200 meters southwards.

Sreedharan said that he provided technical advice to the State at no charge to it on this matter and had written a letter to the Chief Minister of Kerala as well as the PWD Minister in the beginning of 2022. However, he never got any response from him even after all that he had done for him.

Unhappy, Sridharan went to the Court seeking a redress and prayed to the Court to order the State to consider his suggestion on the location of the proposed bridge.

He was also quick to note that the State government did not adequately factor in that Sreedharan’s parallel plan could also shorten the length of the bridge while making it stronger and much more functional.

The Court has order this issue to be addressed by the state in her affidavit by 9/09/2018 and thereafter the court will determine whether to join the plea.