Date:27/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/27/stories/2007102759010600.htm

Tamil Nadu

Construction of bridge on Dharapuram Road begins

M. Gunasekaran

Diversion of traffic announced

— Photo: M. Balaji

WORK IN PROGRESS: Construction of elevated bridge across Sangilipallam on the Tirupur-Dharapuram highway begins in Tirupur.

TIRUPUR: Much to the joy of the residents and motorists, construction of an elevated bridge across Sangilipallam stream on the Dharapuram Road in Tirupur has begun on Thursday, though after a delay of nearly three years.

Contractors refused to take up the project despite repeated calls by Highways Department for the last three years citing spiralling cost of construction materials and labour wages in Tirupur. The project cost rose to Rs.1.14 crore from initial estimation of Rs. 84.7 lakh.

The bridge would replace the causeway on Dharapuram Road with 60 ft length and a width of 64 ft. It would have five-ft pedestrian way on either side and facilitate four-lane for vehicular traffic.

A similar bridge on Kangeyam Road across the Sangilipallam was recently constructed with the help of Valam, an entrepreneurs’ initiative. “We are aware of the intensity of the traffic flow on Dharapuram Road. We will be completing the bridge in six months and will try to complete before the schedule,” hoped, P. Vaiyaburi, Assistant Divisional Engineer, Highways Department.

According to sources, the department could get a contractor only after revising the estimate commensurate with the prevailing prices of construction materials.

Residents demanded replacement of the submergible bridge as traffic was thrown out of gear on the stretch during the monsoon. During rain season pedestrians could not walk across the bridge as water overflow for hours. Officials said the bride required to be upgraded with six lanes but space constrains forced them to go for a four-lane one.

The proposed elevated bridges would have three spans of five metres each. Tirupur police have announced some diversion in traffic on the stretch. Vehicles proceeding on Dharapuram Road from old bus stand would have to take the route via Kangeyam Cross Road, Pudur Pirivu and MGB Theatre. Vehicles proceeding from Government Hospital would have to take the 60 road, and Santhaipet and Palladam Road to reach old bus stand.