TIRUCHY: The state highways department is racing against time to complete the construction of the Rs 106-crore bridge across the Cauvery connecting Mela Chinthamani and Mambazha Salai, which was to be inaugurated in June.
The new high-level bridge, being built adjacent to the existing one constructed in 1976, aims to ease traffic congestion. The department began constructing pillars on the river bed in January 2025. However, only seven out of the 16 pillars planned for the 540-metre long and 17.75-metre wide structure have reached the superstructure level.
Sources said while two pillars are ready, four have reached only the substructure level, pile foundation work is under progress for one, and work is yet to begin on the two remaining pillars.
Activists have urged officials to complete the piling works of the remaining pillars before the release of water from the Mettur dam into the Cauvery for delta irrigation, as water flow could affect the work.
Officials are unsure whether they will be able to complete the remaining work before June 12, the customary date of releasing water into the Cauvery. P Ayyarappan, coordinator of the Road Users Welfare Committee, said the officials should have accelerated the pile foundation work first, keeping in mind the date of water release.
“Had they completed the pile foundation and substructure work for all pillars in the first phase, they could have executed the superstructure work even with water flowing in the river bed. I don’t think they will be able to complete the work within a month, and might need at least six to 12 more months. Traffic congestion on the existing bridge is already a cause of concern. To avert accidents, the police have installed flexible traffic bollards as a temporary arrangement,” he said.
Assistant Engineer of the State Highways Department Samaya Sakthi said major works are over and the remaining will be completed as quickly as possible before water is released.
