Highways to take over the maintenance of Kallukuzhi RoB

Trichy: The state highways department is planning to carry out the much-needed maintenance works on Pudukkottai road over bridge (RoB), also called Kallukuzhi RoB. The department will replace the damaged pedestrian slabs along the platforms on either end of the RoB branching off from Head Post Office (HPO) signal to connect Kallukuzhi at the other end.

Pudukkottai road RoB running over the railway tracks between Ponmalai and Trichy railway junction has been serving as an arterial link for residents on the outskirts to reach the city. Besides the local people, people approaching the city from Thanjavur and Pudukkottai districts have also been using the over bridge. However, the pedestrian platforms of the RoB with an arm connecting good shed road have been in a bad shape for several months. The uneven surface was a nightmare for pedestrians and also morning walkers in and around Melapudur, Kallukuzhi, and Sangliyandapuram localities.

Though the highways department division here has 70 gangmen to inspect the worthiness of department-controlled structures and pedestrian platforms and suggest maintenance work if needed, the road safety council alleged that there was no periodical inspection. Highlighting the difficulties faced by pedestrians and maintenance lapse, The Times of India had on August 1 carried a report titled ‘Lack of coordination, checks imperil road over bridges too’.

The highways department had recently levelled the uneven pedestrian surface on either end of Pudukkottai road RoB close to the HPO signal end as a temporary measure. Officials sources said that they have plans to overhaul platforms on the entire stretch of the RoB till Kallukuzhi side. “Levelling works were carried out by workers but new slabs as replacements are yet to be placed. A proposal has been chalked out seeking maintenance fund to refurbish the entire pedestrian platforms of RoB,” a senior official with highways department told TOI.

Source