Date:21/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/21/stories/2008122156390300.htm

Tamil Nadu

Construction of 3 bridges on East Coast Road in full swing

Staff Reporter

Despite difficulties during rain; project cost goes up to Rs. 210 crore

— Photo: M. Moorthy

Crossing hurdles: A bridge under construction near Kottaipattinam on East Coast Road in Pudukottai.

PUDUKOTTAI: Work on the construction of three bridges on the East Coast Road in the district has been in full swing, despite the odds for its execution during the torrential showers and the Nisha cyclone last month.

The World Bank-funded project is being implemented by the Tamil Nadu Road Sector Project in packages with one of them linking Rameswaram and Kattumavadi in Pudukottai district. This stretch, the cost of which was initially estimated at Rs.144 crore has increased to Rs. 210 crore.

It accounts for seven minor bridges, one major bridge, 145 hump pipe culverts, one bas culvert, and 48 slab culverts. The 39 km stretch between Muthukuda and Kattumavadi in the district, forms a part of the package.

The criss-crossing of several rivulets which drain the storm waters in to the sea has been a bottleneck for the execution of the project in the district, which was taken up three years ago. In addition to these bridges, about 200 culverts had been constructed.

Any lull for a short period is being best utilised. Intermittent sharp showers, even long after the Nisha cyclone, had been posing a challenge. “However, we have taken all steps for the expeditious implementation of the project. Only the approach roads need to be laid to throw the bridges open to traffic,” sources told The Hindu on Saturday.

Increase in traffic

Sources said that the volume of vehicular traffic on the Rameswaram – Chennai sector has considerably increased. The project in the district witnessed several odds in the past two years, mainly due to rains last year and partly due to clayey soil. The work was suspended for a few weeks early this year, due to sharp showers in March.