The Sulochana Mudaliar Bridge, the prime connectivity to the Tamirabharani between Palayamkottai and Tirunelveli, has finally started getting a fresh coat of concrete as the damaged surface causes frequent accidents, especially rainy days, involving two-wheeler riders.
After the damaged surface of the bridge triggered accidents involving bikes whenever it rains, pleas from the public started flooding the Department of Highways urging it to renovate the 220-feet-long and 12.20-meter-wide bridge, constructed in 1840 with the contribution of Rs.50,000 given by Sulochana Mudaliar, the then sheristadar to Collector E.P. Thomson.
The Department of Highways has taken up the work of providing concrete coat for 3 inch thickness at a cost of Rs.10 lakh.
After making tiny pits at regular intervals on the existing surface to ensure better adhesiveness and grip, concrete is being spread on the bridge. Following this work, four-wheelers and the buses going from Tirunelveli Junction to Vannerpet or Palayamkottai are diverted via Udaiyaarpatti and North Bypass Road while the vehicles coming from Vannarpet to Tirunelveli Junction are allowed via the bridge, where one-way traffic system has been enforced.
“The work is likely to be completed within a couple of weeks. Until then, the traffic diversion will be in force,” the police sources said.
