The Anaikarai bridge (Lower Anicut) across the Coleroon near Kumbakonam was thrown open for buses on Saturday morning after a gap of nearly a year.
The 170-year-old bridge developed cracks in some of its vents on July 1, 2013. Since then both light vehicles and heavy vehicles were not allowed on the bridge for sometime. After repair, only light vehicles were allowed in the bridge.
The bridge had been closed in the past on quite a few occasions for bus traffic, forcing the vehicles to take a detour. People of the area have been demanding operation of buses on the bridge and had even organised agitations.
The bridge is the main link between Thanjavur and northern districts and people heaved a sigh of relief after it was opened for bus traffic on Saturday after repair works were carried out. Heavy transport vehicles (other than buses) would not be allowed through the bridge.
Welcoming the operation of buses on Anaikarai bridge, A. Giri, President of Rail Users’ Association, and V. Satyanarayana, Secretary of Federation of All Traders’ Association said the bridge was the main link and movement of buses on it would greatly benefit people of delta districts.
People had been taking a circuitous route in the absence of movement of buses on the bridge, they said.
Surveillance cameras have been fitted on the four corners of the bridge and movement of vehicles can be monitored using the cameras by the district collector, Deputy Superintendents of Police, Kumbakonam, and Thiruvidaimaruthur, Thiruppandal police station, and check posts around the bridge, official sources said.
