Encroachments demolished to finish new bridge throughout Kamadalam river close to Arani

The State Highways Department demolished encroachments on Arcot – Villupuram Main Road (SH-4) close to outdated bus terminus in Arani city in Tiruvannamalai to put bitumen method roads as a part of completion of the two-lane excessive stage bridge throughout Kamadalam Naganathi river.

Officials of State Highways, which is establishing the bridge, stated that a lot of the encroachments are homes and petty outlets, which have been constructed greater than twenty years in the past. Encroached land close to the bus terminus belongs to State Highways. “We have additionally acquired 125 sq.metres of land to put method roads for the brand new bridge, which will probably be prepared by the top of the 12 months,” S. Jayanthi, Junior Engineer (JE), State Highways (Projects), advised The Hindu.

Highways officers stated that the brand new high-level bridge will join Irumbedu and surrounding villages with Arani city throughout the river. It will exchange the prevailing dilapidated causeway, which was constructed within the Seventies however badly broken throughout 2021 floods. “As the broken causeway was closed for visitors as a consequence of its poor situation just a few years in the past, we have now to detour a minimum of 15 kms to succeed in cities like Polur and Tiruvannamalai,” stated B. Murugan, a resident.

As per research by the Highways Department, greater than 12,000 autos have been utilizing the broken causeway throughout the river, risking their lives particularly throughout rains. Funded below the Comprehensive Road Infrastructure Development Programme (CRIDP) 2023-24, the brand new bridge has been constructed at a value of ₹ 19.60 crore since January 2024 when the work was began. 

The two-lane bridge is 184.80 metres lengthy and 15 metres large with a minimum of 50 LED road lights on the bridge and its service lanes. Tiled footpaths with metal hand railings will probably be supplied. The bridge has been constructed round 5 metres from the river mattress to forestall inundation of the ability throughout monsoon.

Highways officers stated that new method roads will probably be laid on the demolished space alongside the stretch. It will probably be 12 metres large and 200 metres lengthy with footpaths and storm water drains. The method roads will join the brand new bridge with Irumbedu village and the outdated bus terminus space in Arani city. This work will probably be accomplished within the coming weeks .