Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Sevvoor S. Ramachandran on Saturday laid the foundation stones for the construction of two bridges at Pollur and Tiruvannamalai across two level-crossings.
To be built at a cost of ₹47.75 crore, these two bridges would replace the railway level-crossings on the Puducherry-Krishnagiri Road between Tiruvannamalai and Thandurai railway stations at a cost of ₹30.38 crore and on the Cuddalore-Chittoor Road between Polur and Arni railway stations at a cost of ₹17.37 crore.
Mr. Ramachandran recalled that these two projects were announced by the late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in the State Assembly on April 1, 2013. After facing several hurdles, these two projects had been revived, said an official from Highways Department.
Relief to pilgrims
The bridge near Tiruvannamalai would bring relief to a large number of pilgrims visiting the hill shrine. On both sides of the bridge, there would be 15 m approach roads, and 7 m wide storm-water drain-cum-pavement, according to Highways department officials. The bridge would be 666 m long and would be completed in 24 months, they said.
The bridge at Polur would be 648 m long with approach roads and storm-water-drains-cum-pavement. This bridge would be built in 18 months, officials said.
District Collector K.S. Kandasamy, Members of Parliament R. Vanaroja (Tiruvannamalai), V. Elumalai (Arni), Keezh Pennathur MLA K. Pichandi, and Highways Department Divisional Engineer (Projects) of Vellore V. Srinivasan were present.
