The State government has accorded administrative sanction for construction of a high-level bridge across Campbell Canal at Bhavanipuram, as part of its attempt to speed up completion of the infrastructure projects designed to take up relief and rehabilitation operations during natural calamities,
The upcoming bridge will connect Ullipalem at Machillipatnam and Kammavaricheruvu road via Chinnapuram providing easy access to reach the areas and evacuate people during calamities easily. Permission was accorded for the construction of the bridge after the Roads and Buildings Department Engineer-in-Chief had submitted the detailed estimates for the project.
The department is constructing bridges, roads and drains, among other infrastructure, with an estimated cost of Rs.100 crore assistance provided by the World Bank as part of the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP). Of the earmarked amount, the Government had sanctioned works on Campbell Canal bridge estimated to cost over Rs. 78 crore, according to officials.
Plans had been evolved to construct Machillipatnam and Kammavaricheruvu Road across Gunderu drain, and Tallapalem and Narayanapuram Road across Salt Creek involving an expenditure of Rs. 21 crore and Rs. 9.5 crore respectively. As rescue teams are facing hardships in shifting relief material to cyclone-hit areas owing to lack of proper approach roads, the government has decided to improve the connectivity infrastructure along the coastline under the NCRMP. Once completed, these projects would enable easier movement of the people stranded in low-lying areas during cyclones.
Panchayat Raj and Irrigation Departments are also laying approach roads and constructing drains. When contacted, R&B Department Superintendent Engineer K. Seshukumar said that works would be taken up after getting clearances from the departments concerned.
