DHARMAPURI: Residents of Pennagaram urged the state government to construct a High-Level Bridge (HLB) across Cauvery to connect Salem and Dharmapuri districts.
In 2022, Chief Minister M K Stalin announced that efforts would be taken to construct a 4.86 km bridge connecting Kottaiyur in Mettur, and Ottanur in Pennagaram and to ensure that, Rs 2 crore was also allocated to conduct a study and submit a Detailed Project Report (DPR). However, since the initial announcement, no efforts were made.
V Pranavkumar, a resident of Nagamarai, told TNIE, “Most people residing in Pennagaram work as labourers and seek opportunities in Salem. So, most people travel daily and the mode of transportation in Ottanoor Parisal Thurai is coracle. Though this journey only takes about 20 minutes and costs a small fee, it only functions between dawn and dusk and the coracle is available only once an hour. So, the number of people who use this is comparatively less. Hence, if a bridge is constructed, it would be much easier for transportation.”
G Sasikumar, a resident from Pennagaram said, “This was a key promise made by the DMK government in the election manifesto, so far apart from an initial study no other initiative has been undertaken. Connecting Dharmapuri and Salem with a bridge would create new routes and reduce traffic congestion in Thoppur.
Further, it would cut travel time from Pennagaram to Salem, at present, we have to travel to Salem via Dharmapuri which is almost an additional hour. So, we urge the district administration and the state government to look into the scheme.” When TNIE attempted to contact the State Highway Department officials for comment, they were not reachable.