New bridge ends seven years of isolation for tribal hamlets of Munderi in Malappuram

Minister for Public Works P.K. Basheer inaugurating the new bridge across the Chaliyar river at Munderi on Saturday. | Photo Credit: SAKEER HUSSAIN A new bridge across the Chaliyar at Munderi in Pothukal panchayat in Malappuram has ended seven years of isolation for the tribal settlements in the interior forests of Nilambur. Public Works Minister P.K. Basheer on Saturday (October 17, 2026) inaugurated the bridge built to replace the one destroyed in the 2019 floods.The ₹5.76-crore project includes a 300-metre approach road. The bridge is 100 metres long, 4.65 metres wide, and has five spans.Tribal residents of Vaniyampuzha, Iruttukuthi, Kumbalappara and Tharippapotti hamlets had relied on bamboo rafts to cross the Chaliyar after the old bridge collapsed. Minister for Public Works P.K. Basheer and other people’s representatives walking along the newly opened bridge across the Chaliyar river at Munderi on Saturday. | Photo Credit: SAKEER HUSSAIN During the monsoon, they were often cut off from the outside world. Fire and Rescue Services personnel had to often deliver food using dinghy boats during floods.The floods also destroyed homes, forcing several tribal families to live in sheds covered with plastic sheets. In one instance, a woman from Vaniyampuzha had to give birth on the riverbank because she could not reach a hospital in time.In 2023, Aryadan Shoukath, MLA, and Sudha, a resident of Vaniyampuzha, approached the Kerala High Court through a public interest litigation seeking rehabilitation for families affected by the floods. Construction of the bridge began following the court’s directions. The newly constructed bridge across the Chaliyar river at Munderi that connects four tribal settlements with the mainland. | Photo Credit: SAKEER HUSSAIN Speaking at the inauguration, Mr. Basheer accused the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government of neglecting Malappuram over the past 10 years. He said the United Democratic Front (UDF) government would bring development to the district.He said projects worth ₹4,800 crore had been implemented through the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) in Kannur over the past decade, while the expenditure in Malappuram, which has 16 MLAs, was ₹1,089 crore.Mr. Basheer also assured to expedite the construction of the Punchakolli bridge across the Punnappuzha in Vazhikkadavu panchayat, which was damaged in the floods.Mr. Shoukath presided over the function. P.V. Abdul Wahab, MP, local body representatives, and PWD officials attended the function. Published - October 18, 2026 07:00 am IST