Construction of New Bridge Across River Cauvery to Commence Soon, Announces Minister E.V. Velu
The proposal to build a new bridge connecting Tiruchi City with Srirangam across the River Cauvery is nearing completion, according to Minister for Public Works E.V. Velu. The State Highways Department is set to invite tenders within a month for the construction of the bridge, which will be located adjacent to the existing one in the city. The Detailed Project Report has already been approved by the State, taking into account the heavy traffic flow.
The estimated cost of the bridge construction is ₹120 crore. Minister Velu stated that the State Highways Department had successfully completed nine bridge projects last year, with construction ongoing for 16 bridges in the district. The new bridge aims to alleviate traffic congestion in the area and provide better connectivity for the residents.
During a road safety review meeting at Tiruchi Collectorate, Minister Velu highlighted the importance of using high-quality materials and adhering to guidelines set by the Indian Road Congress when constructing roads. To ensure road safety, the Highways Department plans to deploy a dedicated audit team comprised of trained officials to inspect roads across all districts. The team will take strict action against those responsible for any discrepancies found.
Expressing concern about the high fatality rate in road accidents in Tiruchi, Minister Velu noted that 31% of the 981 accidents reported in the district last year were fatal. This percentage was double the fatality rate in Chennai, which stood at 13%. Addressing these concerns, Minister for Municipal Administration and Water Supply K.N. Nehru announced that the government had approved a 40 ft cement concrete road project to connect the Tiruchi-Madurai National Highway with Tiruchi-Karur National Highway along the banks of River Koraiyar. The project is expected to commence soon.
Various stakeholders, including members of non-profit organizations, college professors, elected representatives, and school students, participated in the meeting. They expressed their grievances regarding issues such as students traveling on the footboard of buses and the need for greater awareness among parents regarding road safety. Suggestions to improve road safety included incorporating best practices in road safety into the school curriculum and installing speed control measures on roads.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary of the Public Works Department Pradeep Yadav, Tiruchi Collector M. Pradeep Kumar, Commissioner of Police M. Sathiya Priya, Superintendent of Police Sujit Kumar, Mayor M. Anbazhagan, Corporation Commissioner R. Vaithinathan, and MLAs.
The construction of the new bridge is a significant development that will enhance connectivity and ease traffic congestion in Tiruchi City. With the government’s commitment to improving road safety, it is hoped that the number of fatal accidents will decrease, keeping the residents of Tiruchi safe. The initiation of the 40 ft cement concrete road project will further enhance the transportation network in the area and promote better connectivity.
