New bridge inaugurated at Marapalam

It will ease traffic congestion on Puducherry-Cuddalore Main Road

A hoarding of Chief Minister N. Rangasamy mounted on a van for the bridge inauguration function at Marapalam in Puducherry on Tuesday. PHOTO: T. SINGARAVELOU

Chief Minister N. Rangasamy on Tuesday inaugurated the newly constructed bridge at Marapalam here.

The new bridge will pave the way for decongestion on the Puducherry-Cuddalore Main Road.

The old bridge here which dates back to the French period had been in disuse for several decades. The stretch, which experiences heavy vehicular movement throughout the day, had been badly damaged at a few places.

In 2008, a two-lane bridge was constructed near the old one while the government also decided to demolish the old one and construct a new one in its place at an estimated cost of Rs. 3.41 crore.

Several Ministers and MLAs were present when Mr. Rangasamy opened the bridge to the public.

While the function went off smoothly, the evening that preceded the event witnessed some trouble.

As the function was scheduled to be held on the birth anniversary of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Kamaraj, S. Baskar, a functionary of the youth organisation of the All India NR Congress had put up banners welcoming the Chief Minister. On Monday night, Mudaliarpet MLA A. Baskar indulged in a verbal duel with organisers for not inviting him and threatened them with dire consequences if the banners were not removed.

Following the altercation, the police had to intervene and pacify the groups.

Bypassing-law innovatively

After the bridge was opened, supporters of the ruling party took out rallies with vehicles fitted with large banners to circumvent the ban on hoardings.