River bridges to be completed by Nov 08

TIRUCHI: The Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T.R. Baalu has instructed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the concessionaire of the four-lane project on the Tiruchi-Padalur section to expedite construction of the new bridges coming up across the Cauvery and Coleroon rivers in the outskirts of the city.

Expressing disappointment over the progress of the work on the two bridges, after a surprise inspection here on Sunday, Mr. Baalu directed the officials to complete the bridges by the end of November. “I had asked you to complete the bridges by November during my last visit,” he pointed out and directed them to mobilise additional manpower and equipment to expedite the works. Later, he told reporters that the concessionaire had agreed to complete the bridges by November end.

The two bridges were among the 22 bridges to be built on the 38.5 km long Tiruchi-Padalur section of the Tiruchi-Chennai four lane project. The new 900-metre-long bridge across the Coleroon River, with 27 spans, is coming up adjacent to the bridge on the Tiruchi-Chennai Bypass Road on the outskirts of the city.

According to sources, about 60 per cent of the work on the bridge had been completed and girders were being erected atop the piers now.

The 600-metre-long new bridge across the Cauvery would have 14 piers. Deck slabs were being over the girders already erected atop the piers. Officials told Mr. Baalu that the construction of the bridges was hampered by the flow of water in the rivers.

If necessary, the existing Cauvery bridge on the Tiruchi-Chennai Bypass Road could be closed temporarily to facilitate the expeditious completion of the works, he said. Collector T. Soundiah and senior NHAI officials accompanied the Minister.

Subway assured

Referring to a representation made by residents of Crawford in Tiruchi, seeking a pathway across the four lane bypass that cuts across the Defence land in the city, Mr. Baalu said that a subway would be constructed at the site for the benefit of the residents. He would take up the residents’ demand for a pathway across the military land with the Defence Minister. The design of the subway would be finalised in consultation with the Defence Ministry and other stake-holders.