With construction scheduled to start on Sunday, India’s ‘Metro Man’ E. Sreedharan has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) with the Kerala High Court.

The PIL challenges the state government's failure to explore viable alternatives for realigning the Thiruvanaya-Thavanur Bridge across the Bharathapuzha River. Sreedharan contends that the bridge’s construction could impact the religious sanctity of the Holy Trinity temples situated along the riverbank.

Despite his opposition to the current plan, Sreedharan has volunteered to assist the Kerala government pro bono in reworking the bridge's alignment and has provided detailed suggestions on how he would approach the task if given the chance.

E Sreedharan also pointed out that if his alignment method was implemented it would be cost effective also.

Incidentally, E Sreedharan decided to approach the High Court after his letters to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his son-in-law State Minister for Public Works, PA Mohammed Riyas failed to elicit any response.

The 92-year-old Metro Man's petition was admitted by the Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice A Muhamed Mustaque and Justice S Manu who directed the government to file a statement.

E Sreedharan who has built a few iconic structures in the country, decided to take up the issue after he found out that the proposed bridge separates the Lord Vishnu Temple at Thirunavaya in Malappuram district on the north bank of Bharathapuzha river from the other temples dedicated to Lord Brahma and Lord Mahesh at Thavanur on the south bank of the river.

He recognized that this would impact the religious sanctity and offend the sentiments of Hindu devotees. Additionally, he noted that the proposed bridge alignment would split the office complex and encroach upon the samadhi of the late K Kelappan, often referred to as ‘Kerala Gandhi’. E. Sreedharan urged the High Court to instruct the state government to explore an alternate alignment and informed the court that construction is set to begin on Sunday.