Kochi: Metroman E Sreedharan’s move to save the Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva temples got a spur after Kerala High Court directed the State Government to reconsider suggestions
of Sreedharan on building a bridge across Bharathapuzha river, media reports said.
Considering the review petition filed by Sreedharan challenging Kerala PWD’s report rejecting his suggestion, the Division bench of the court directed the state government to consider his petition afresh and get back in a fortnight.
PWD had rejected Sreedharan’s proposal the PWD said it will cause significant delay and financial loss, while the Metroman claimed that his proposals on construction of Thirunavaya-Thavanur bridge
could address religious concerns and are practical and cost-effective.
Sreedharan, who was behind the execution of major projects like Konkan Railway, Delhi Metro, Kochi Metro among others, argued that his plan will help preserve the religious sanctity of the temples.
He argued that the government’s proposed bridge will divide the Vishnu Temple in Thirunavaya on the northern bank of Bharathapuzha from the temples dedicated to Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu at Thavanur, situated on the southern bank hurting the religious sentiments of the Hindus.
These temples form a significant religious triad, deeply revered by the Hindu community. The Vishnu Temple at Thirunavaya and the Shiva and Brahma Temples at Thavanur are integral to the spiritual landscape of Kerala.
Sreedharan argued that the current bridge suggested by the PWD will result in encroachment of the samadhi (resting place) of a revered freedom fighter K Kelappan.
The Bharathapuzha River, often referred to as “Dakshina Ganga” holds immense spiritual value for Hindus in the region. Sreedharan, argued that the current bridge design suggested by the PWD is not only unscientific, but also economically imprudent.