Tamil Nadu

Reopening of Amaravathy bridge by May 31 remote

KARUR: Reopening of the new bridge across the Amaravathy here for vehicular traffic by the revised target date of May 31 seems to be pretty remote, even as the renovation and restoration works continue.

Traffic has remained suspended on the bridge since March 1 when it was told that the repair works would be completed in one month.

Workers have been toiling and machinery moving at a rather brisk note at the site but some technical delays put a spanner in the wheels of quick progress.

In fact, the refrain is that from the beginning of the repair works, men and material have been working against a stiff target. The southern part of the approach road to the bridge from the Thirumanilayur end collapsed during the November 2005 floods and cracks developed across the road creating potential danger for road users. It was made an election issue in Karur and toll collection at the bridge, perhaps the first to be constructed under BOT basis in the State, was suspended.

After a long delay, repair and restoration work began after getting clearing legal and technical hurdles. Work began on March 1 and it was stated then that the repairs would be completed by March 31 and vehicular traffic would be allowed on the bridge.

Works planned to be undertaken included sinking of over 450 piles, construction of a retaining wall, and rigid and flexible aprons and strengthening of piers to prevent any collapse in case of flash floods as it happened in November 2005.

The ECCI, which is the concessionaire under the BOT scheme, was itself allowed to undertake the repair works under the supervision of the Department of Highways.

So far around 170 piles have been sunk and foundation for the retaining wall has been raised. A lot of distance remains to be covered and it is too early to hazard a guess as to the target completion date. By the way things have been shaping up, it would be good if the works were to be completed in another month.

Already the eastward bound buses have to make a detour of about 8 km to reach Thirumanilayur not to think of the extra time consumed. There are the inevitable traffic bottlenecks created especially during the peak hours at the Old Bridge across the river. It is in these circumstances that the public and traders expect an early completion of the works to bring relief to their travelling woes.

Sources claim that the works would be hastened now that technical snags have been overcome and they would be able to cover a major portion of the work and allow vehicular traffic on the bridge in another fortnight.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu