Govt sanctions three over-bridges in Tiruchi

Tiruchi: The Tamil Nadu Government has sanctioned three new road over-bridges in Tiruchi district, including one across the railway level crossing at Oyamari Road in Tiruchi.

The three bridges would come up across the Railway level crossings between Srirangam and Fort Stations; between Manapparai and Samudram; and between Lalgudi and Sirudhaiyur. The State will contribute about Rs 74 crore for the projects to be taken up jointly with the Railways, according to State Highways Minister Mr M.P. Saminathan.

The State Government has sanctioned Rs 26 crore for the road over-bridge on the Oyamari Road and the Railways is expected to contribute Rs 10 crore for the bridge portion across their site.

Mr Saminathan said the Highways department has sanctioned Rs 28 crore for the bridge at the entrance of Manapparai town and Rs 20.5 crore for the bridge between Lalgudi and Sirudhaiyur.

The Minister also disclosed that work on the construction of a new bridge across the Coleroon river, connecting Poondi and Sengaraiyur, would be completed by 2009.

Temporary repairs to roads that were damaged during last month’s rains would be completed by this month-end, he added. About 24,650 km of roads were damaged during the December rains. Sixty-four bridges and 1,400 culverts were damaged. About Rs 280 crore would be required to carry out temporary restoration works and another Rs 1,500 crore for permanent repair of the damaged roads.

The State Government had allotted Rs 200 crore for immediate relief measures in the wake of the rains and a portion of this was being utilised for repairing the damaged roads, Mr Saminathan told reporters.