Overview
- Revenue authorities in Malappuram ordered work on a temporary bridge across the Bharathapuzha to cease, according to police.
- The Thirunavaya Village Officer’s notice, dated January 8, cites levelling of the riverbed with earth movers without prior permission as a violation of the Kerala River Banks and Regulation of Removal of Sand Act, 2001.
- Organisers say they filed permission applications in November and claim officials halted the work at its final stage without explanation.
- A roughly 300-metre pedestrian bridge was reportedly about 80% complete, with five JCBs used to clear and prepare the sandbed between December 26 and January 11.
- BJP leader Kummanam Rajasekharan called the order illegal and a violation of religious freedom, while organiser Swami Anandavanam Bharathi said the festival set for January 18 to February 3 will proceed as planned.