Diglipur, June 24: In a long-awaited move, the District Planning Committee (DPC) of North and Middle Andaman has finally turned its attention to the abandoned Kullam Bridge, a vital but stalled infrastructure project in Shivapuram Gram Panchayat. The committee has now recommended urgent completion of the proposed RCC bridge that has remained in limbo since 2019.
During the recent DPC meeting, members acknowledged the severe and prolonged hardship faced by locals due to the incomplete bridge at TV Kullam. The panel stressed that the project must be completed “without further delay”, highlighting its importance as both a daily lifeline and a critical alternative route to the National Highway during traffic disruptions.
“This bridge has been pending for nearly half a decade. The delay has not only inconvenienced residents but also poses serious risks during emergencies,” said a senior DPC member at the meeting.
The Kullam bridge, originally designed to be replaced with a robust RCC structure, has seen little to no progress since its initiation. The existing steel bridge, corroded and unstable, has become a symbol of administrative apathy. Locals have been raising alarms over the bridge’s poor condition, especially during the monsoons when crossing becomes a dangerous ordeal.
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The bridge connects several remote habitations to essential services in Diglipur and is crucial for school children, healthcare access, and transport of local produce. Its closure has effectively cut off multiple villages from the rest of the district.
The DPC’s renewed attention has brought a glimmer of hope to the region. Civil society groups, panchayat members, and affected residents have welcomed the decision but remain cautiously optimistic. They are urging the administration to follow through with budgetary allocations, contractor finalisation, and a clear timeline.
Once completed, the Kullam bridge could serve as a strategic bypass during landslides or maintenance on the Andaman Trunk Road, enhancing regional connectivity and resilience.
While the exact timeline for execution is still unclear, the official push from the DPC is being seen as a major policy shift, potentially ending years of bureaucratic inertia and public frustration.
For North Andaman residents, especially in Shivapuram, the long wait for a safe and reliable bridge may finally be nearing its end.
