Anaikarai bridge (Lower Anicut) near Kumbakonam is being renovated and strengthened at a cost of Rs. 6.21 crore said K. Baskaran, District Collector, at Anaikarai on Wednesday.
The collector inspected the works going at the bridge across Kollidam. He said that the bridge has outlived its utility and became dilapidated. Because of this, traffic on the bridge was stopped and an alternate route was formed across Kollidam for the movement of light vehicles. This route was also inundated whenever it rained and hence the Government has decided to renovate and strengthen Lower Anicut at a cost of Rs. 6.21 crores. Shutters in the bridge also are being renovated. Work on strengthening of the southern bank is now going on and it will be completed in a week's time. Following this, the strengthening of northern bank will be taken up. All the works are expected to be completed in three months.
Work on the renovation of thirty sluices and shutters is also going on. It irrigates 1,34,400 hectares in three districts of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam.
C. Suresh Kumar, District Revenue Officer, Periyasamy, Assistant Executive Engineer, PWD, accompanied the Collector during his visit.
