A damaged pedestrian overbridge at the Palarivattom Medical Centre junction on Kochi’s national highway bypass remains unusable, forcing pedestrians to cross the busy road at ground level and raising fresh concerns about road safety. The issue was highlighted during a protest organised by the Thrikkakara constituency committee of the Bharatiya Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS).
The foot overbridge had been used by thousands of people, according to the report. It became unfit for movement after a vehicle hit and damaged the structure. With the crossing yet to be restored for public use, pedestrians, including women, are reportedly crossing the road in dangerous conditions.
The junction is located along the national highway bypass and serves as a significant movement point in the area. The continued closure of the pedestrian facility leaves people dependent on an at-grade road crossing, exposing them to moving traffic. The report does not specify when the collision occurred, the extent of damage, or which agency is responsible for repairing and reopening the structure.
The protest was organised to draw attention to the continued inaccessibility of the overbridge. BDJS state committee member K.S. Vijayan inaugurated the meeting. The gathering was chaired by advocate J. Ashokan, president of the organisation’s Thrikkakara constituency committee.
District general secretary M.P. Jineesh, organisational general secretary C. Satheesan, M.S. Dileep Kumar, advocate Kishore Kumar, Deepa Vijayan, Dhanya Shaji and Suresh Babu Vennala were among those who spoke at the meeting, according to Kerala Kaumudi.
The incident points to a practical gap in pedestrian infrastructure management: a facility built to separate foot traffic from highway movement can cease to provide protection when repairs are delayed. In this case, the reported consequence is that people who previously used the overbridge are being pushed back onto the roadway, including at a junction where traffic conditions make informal crossings hazardous.
The report does not include a statement from the highway authority, local administration, police or the agency responsible for the overbridge. It also does not provide a repair schedule, a cost estimate or details of any temporary safety arrangements. The immediate demand raised through the protest is that the foot overbridge at the Palarivattom Medical Centre junction be made usable again.
