New bridge named as Venduruthy-Vikrant

KOCHI: The new bridge constructed at Venduruthy in Kochi has been named as Venduruthy-Vikrant bridge in honour of India’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier. The decision was announced by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Tuesday after receiving a cheque of `12.5 crore from Vice-Admiral K N Sushil, Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command as Indian Navy’s contribution towards the construction of the bridge. The amount is approximately one third of the cost of the bridge. The gesture followed approval of the same by the Ministry of Defence. The Chief Minister was on his maiden visit to the Naval Base after he assumed office. Speaking on the occasion, Chandy said that the bridge is being named Venduruthy-Vikrant Bridge in honour of India’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier which is being constructed at the Cochin Shipyard. He expressed the gratitude to the Indian Navy for the help rendered by the Navy for rescue operations during accidents and natural calamities. A formal agreement regarding this was signed between Commodore Sunil Anand, Chief Staff Officer (Personnel and Administration), Southern Naval Command, and P C Harikesh, Chief Operating Officer, the Kerala Roads Fund Board. Mayor Tony Chammany and Commodore M R Ajaykumar, Naval Officer-in-Charge, Kerala, were present.