Perumbalam bridge opens, ending decades of isolation for Kerala island residents

Residents of Perumbalam are celebrating a historic moment after a long-awaited bridge connecting the island to the mainland was finally opened, ending decades of dependence on boats and ferries.

For Anzar, a 48-year-old government boat service driver, the waters of Vembanad Lake have shaped much of his life. Born and raised on the island, Anzar has spent years navigating the lake to transport people between Perumbalam and the mainland.

Home to nearly 12,000 residents, Perumbalam—located in Alappuzha district—had long remained cut off from direct road connectivity. For generations, the only way in or out of the island was by country boats or ferry services across the lake.

The journey was often uncertain, particularly during rough weather, and could even become life-threatening during emergencies. Many residents recall racing against time to reach hospitals on the mainland, waiting anxiously for ferry services or ambulance boats.

Stories of births and deaths during such difficult crossings are not uncommon among the island’s residents. Beyond medical emergencies, the lack of connectivity also affected everyday life—limiting job opportunities, education access, and even social events such as marriages.

That reality changed on March 7, when Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated a new bridge connecting the island to the mainland.

The structure, built across Vembanad Lake at an estimated cost of around ₹100 crore, is nearly 1,200 metres long and 11 metres wide. The project was completed after decades of petitions, protests, and sustained public campaigns by island residents.

The bridge links Perumbalam, located in the Aroor constituency, directly to the mainland, bringing relief and renewed hope to the community.

Residents say the new connectivity will transform everyday life, making travel easier and improving access to healthcare, education and employment opportunities.

For many, the bridge represents more than just infrastructure. For a community that has lived for decades with the challenges of crossing the lake for even the simplest needs, it stands as a symbol of safety, opportunity and connection.

For the people of Perumbalam, the bridge across Vembanad Lake is not merely concrete and steel—it is a long-awaited lifeline.