Punalur Suspension Bridge

The Punalur Suspension Bridge, constructed in 1877 across the Kallada River in Punalur, in the Kollam district of Kerala, is a historic landmark. With a rich history and impressive structure, the bridge remains a marvel and continues to inspire wonder in those who visit it. Today, it remains a popular tourist attraction in the Kollam district and a symbol of the city of Punalur.

A Marvel of Engineering: The Historic Punalur Suspension Bridge

Originally constructed by the Travancore Government, it measures 400 feet long and was designed to keep wild animals from entering the town from the Kattupathanapuram forest. Construction of the Punalur Suspension Bridge began in 1871 and predominantly utilized materials imported from England, including a combination of iron, wood, and masonry. It is said that the Punalur Suspension Bridge is the first motorable bridge built in southern India.

The Punalur Suspension Bridge is connected to four wells, with the iron rods of the bridge anchored to clips located within the wells. Each well is approximately 100 feet deep and the engineering behind the construction of the bridge remains a mystery to this day. Preserved as a protected monument by the Archaeological Department of Kerala, the Punalur Suspension Bridge is now open to pedestrians only. After undergoing renovation, it was opened to the public in 2014 and features seating and adequate lighting for nighttime visitors.

The Punalur Suspension Bridge is open to the public all day and can be accessed anytime, and there is no fee to enter the bridge. The Punalur Suspension Bridge is located in the heart of Punalur city and is easily accessible to tourists. The nearest railway station is Punalur, which is just 1.5 kilometers away from the bridge. The closest airport is the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, located 76 kilometers from the bridge.

[Image source | CC BY-SA 4.0]

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