Mukkombu triggers debate on ageing bridges in Trichy

The collapse of a portion of Mukkombu regulator last week has triggered a wave of debate among residents about the dangers and the alternatives to be done regarding the decades old infrastructures still in use in the city. Mukkombu was not the only ageing infrastructure in use. Cauvery bridge, Salai road over bridge (RoB), and Kudamurutti bridge on Karur main road are the other structures in the list. The Mukkombu incident has reiterated the demand for planning alternatives for arterial road infrastructures in the city, which has an ever increasing population.

The collapse of the few shutters of Mukkombu regulator over Kollidam River has incited a volley of discussions about the dependence on a single old infrastructure and the vulnerability of not having alternatives at hand. Trichy has been relying on quite a few decades and centuries old road infrastructures to commute each day. Built in late 1800’s, Salai road RoB has been used by people from Thillai Nagar and Woraiyur to reach Mainguard Gate bypassing the Karur-Trichy railway track. If Salai road RoB is shut, people will have to take a detour via Karur Bypass Road or Thennur RoB to reach Main Guard Gate. "We have been demanding a new RoB between Mainguard Gate and Salai Road for years as the existing British era RoB is getting old each passing day. Not sure whether there is at least a proposal for an alternative or a replacement," M Muthuganesan, resident of Andar Street said.

Same is the case with the majestic Cauvery bridge built in 1976 across Cauvery to connect Srirangam island with the mainland. Though the 540-metre bridge has 15-metre wide road, the approach points of the bridge remain congested as vehicular traffic has increased over the years. While highways department maintain that periodic maintenance is being carried out, the bridge according to locals, need an alternative ready in case. The only other alternative to reach Srirangam is the new Cauvery bridge over Chennai-Trichy NH45.

Similarly, the Kudamurutti bridge on Karur Road connecting Keelachinthamani with Kambarasanpettai also does not have an alternative bridge. When contacted, the state highways department officials said that a proposal for a new bridge across Kudamurutti at an estimated cost of Rs 10 crore was sent to the state government for fund allocation. For a new RoB on Salai Road, a senior official with the civic body said, "We are in discussion with southern railways to build a new RoB on Salai Road."

Meanwhile, demanding a new bridge across Cauvery connecting Karur Bypass Road with Ammamandapam in Srirangam, Trichy Intra-City Development Endeavors has asked the district administration to identify and expedite replacement bridges at suitable spots.

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