The long-delayed Bairakuppa bridge project, envisioned as a link between Kerala and Karnataka across the Kabini River, has gained fresh momentum following discussions between Kerala Public Works Minister P.A. Basheer and Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.

For decades, the proposed bridge has remained a major demand of residents living along the Kerala-Karnataka border. Although the foundation stone was laid more than 30 years ago, the project failed to move beyond the planning stage despite repeated appeals, political interventions and public campaigns.

The latest development has renewed attention on a project that many in the region consider crucial for daily travel and connectivity.

Congress governments in both states bring fresh push

The renewed discussions come at a time when Congress-led governments are in power in both Kerala and Karnataka.

The Congress government recently assumed office in Kerala, while Karnataka is also governed by the Congress. Supporters of the project believe this could help improve coordination between the two states and remove administrative hurdles that have delayed progress in the past.

Notably, the bridge project was first launched during another period when Congress governed both states.

A project first announced in 1994

The foundation stone for the bridge was laid on September 22, 1994, by then Kerala Chief Minister K. Karunakaran and then Karnataka Chief Minister Veerappa Moily.

The proposed project envisaged a 160-metre bridge connecting the Perikkallur ferry point in Mullankolly grama panchayat in Wayanad with Bairakuppa village in Karnataka across the Kabini River.

At the time, the estimated cost of construction was around ₹2 crore.

However, the project failed to advance after the required approval from the environment and forest authorities was not obtained. As a result, construction could not begin, and the foundation stone remained the only visible sign of the proposed bridge.

Over the years, governments changed in both states, but the bridge remained unrealised.

Repeated efforts failed to break the deadlock

Several attempts were made to revive the project.

During the tenure of the LDF government led by former Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, a letter was sent to the Karnataka Chief Minister seeking support for the bridge. However, no favourable action followed.

Political organisations, local residents and various groups also submitted petitions and conducted campaigns demanding the implementation of the project. Despite these efforts, the proposal remained stalled.

According to those associated with the project, delays on the Karnataka side were among the main reasons preventing progress.

Karnataka assures faster action

The latest breakthrough followed renewed intervention by the Kerala government.

After the UDF government assumed office in Kerala, Public Works Minister P.A. Basheer wrote to the Karnataka government seeking faster action to make the bridge a reality.

During subsequent discussions, Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar assured that the procedures required for the bridge's construction would be completed quickly.

He also said issues related to the project would be placed before the Karnataka Cabinet soon and that necessary directions had already been issued.

These assurances have raised hopes that the project could finally move forward after decades of delay.

Ferry service remains the only connection

In the absence of a bridge, residents continue to rely on a traditional ferry service operating across the Kabini River.

For people living on one side of the border and working, studying or farming on the other, the ferry remains the primary mode of transport. Hundreds of farmers, agricultural workers and students use the service regularly.

Travel often becomes difficult during periods of bad weather, when river crossings are affected.

The Bairakuppa crossing is also among Kerala's oldest surviving inter-state ferry routes, carrying passengers between two states every day from morning until evening.

A crossing with deep historical and social links

Bairakuppa is more than just a border village. Local accounts suggest that some of its residents trace their origins to families that migrated from Chitradurga centuries ago.

Separated by the Kabini River but connected through daily interactions, communities on both banks have long shared economic, social and cultural ties. The river effectively links two languages and two cultures while marking the boundary between Kerala and Karnataka.

The ferry service has historically sustained economic activity in the region, particularly in Bairakuppa, which serves as an important marketplace for surrounding forest villages.

Expected benefits if completed

Residents believe the bridge would make travel between Kerala and Karnataka significantly easier.

The proposed link is expected to provide direct access from the Pulpally and Mullankolly regions to Karnataka. It would also improve connectivity to cities such as Mysuru, Bengaluru and Hassan.

According to project supporters, the bridge could reduce the distance between Kalpetta and Mysuru to around 110 kilometres.

Many also expect improved connectivity to benefit trade, business and tourism in Wayanad, while supporting the broader development of border areas on both sides of the river.

For now, residents are awaiting further decisions from the Karnataka government as the latest round of discussions moves the long-pending project closer to implementation than it has been in years.