Kerala HC Orders Urgent PWD Inspection of Temporary Bridges for Thirunavaya Maha Magha

The directive follows a legal challenge to a stop memo that halted bridge work under the riverbank protection law.

Overview

The court tasked the Executive Engineer of PWD, Tirur, with an immediate on-site inspection and required the Superintendent of Police to attend.
The Executive Engineer must recommend remedial and safety measures for managing large crowds, with directions for prompt implementation.
The petition by M. K. Vinayakumar challenges a Village Officer’s stop memo issued under the Kerala Riverbank Protection Act, 2001.
State counsel flagged structural safety risks and green protocol compliance, while clarifying the government does not oppose the festival.
The court noted no authority has barred the event, instructed the District Collector to coordinate necessary actions, and listed the case for January 27.