Lalgudi road overbridge likely to be completed by year end

Even as traders of Lalgudi are observing a three-day bandh to press for a by-pass road and other development works, construction of road over bridge across the Railway level crossing in the town is expected to be completed only by the year end.

Though the construction has gathered momentum over the past few months, after a prolonged lull last year, the work could still take months for completion.

The project, sanctioned at an estimate of about Rs.20 crore a few years back has been making fitful progress until last year, much to the chagrin of local residents and traders as chaotic traffic conditions prevail on the Lalgudi Main Road.

The bridge with 19 spans would run for a length of about 500 metres and provide an important connectivity between the bus stand and the town.

The Highways Department has in recent months expedited the work and according to sources about eight columns have been raised so far. Shifting of utility lines, such as power lines, is yet to be fully completed. The department also had to go in for an increase the depth of the piles taking into account the soil condition.

With a couple of minor bridges to be constructed across the adjacent canal for laying the service roads, indications are that the work would definitely overshoot the scheduled deadline for completion by March.

There are still a few land acquisition issues, especially for the construction of a traffic island near the bus stand.

The construction of a traffic island has been one of the sore points for the agitating traders, who contend that this would entail the demolition of many shops.

Traders who began a three-day bandh in the town on Tuesday against the move, say that there was no need for such a big traffic island, displacing so many traders, as proposed by the authorities. If a by-pass road was laid, there would be no need for the traffic island at all, says Sivasakthi G.Ramanathan, president, Lalgudi Traders Association.