Ayyappancoil Mud Bridge has been an attraction in Idukki that has gained the attention of several bikers. This mud bridge holds certain uniqueness about its appearance giving you the sense of an old world charm. In a world that’s witnessing massive infrastructure development- amidst such development, stands the mud bridge at Ayypancoil, leaving many of its users amazed every time it is used. Asia’s largest mud bridge today, however,  Vellilamkandam  Mud Bridge poses threat to commuters and avid bikers.

Attracting visitors to take part in adventurous excitements like cycling, rafting, biking, river crossing and mainly the unique view of the bridge itself, the mud bridge possessed a unique charm that lured adventurer travelers mostly. Travel experts from Royal leisure tours are constantly on the move running checks on the status of places and attractions that are intact or facing demolition and extinction. In their recent visit to the mud bridge, what they noticed was a shocking revelation of how dangerous the bridge has now become. With heavy downpour continually, the bridge has lost more than ten feet deep mud above the bridge. The washed away mud has left behind a huge pit that’s clearly a death trap for commuters and bikers mainly, who fancy the ruggedness of such muddy terrains. The rains have caused havoc washing away more than ten feet long portion of the bridge below.

The mud bridge served as a connecting road from Madurai to Sabarimala. The pilgrims of Sabarimala are indeed devastated to learn about the twenty feet long stretch of the belt being washed away due to the rains. The damage and collapsing of the bridge was evidently anticipated. What measures have been taken to revive the bridge or ensure this risk is eliminated at the earliest to protect the life and limb of the commuters is least known for now. With weeds and wild plants growing around, the not so easily detectable pit from a distance is now completely destroyed. Appropriate and adequate signage’s to inform the commuters about the bad condition of the bridge have not been put in place.

The week long rainfall has filled up the pit. The pit without water is dangerous as it is. With the waters covering the pit, the danger it poses is understood unsaid. In the hour long inspection of the section of the bridge and its surrounding it was evident that the old mud bridge though unique now definitely needs to see not just improvisations but rebuilding.

The stability of the mud bridge is definitely a question many of its users might wonder about. The question certainly leaves the existence of the mud bridge hanging in the air. Will the mud bridge continue to remain a unique attraction in Idukki or will modern infrastructure pave way? Whatever decisions are made, for now the future of the mud bridge will remain a subject of concern. All that matters now and is important for you to know is that- “the mud bridge has lost a lot of mud leaving behind a muddy slush and disrupting commuting connectivity, that’s dangerous even for an adventure seeking adrenaline junkie”.