An overbridge under construction at Maniachipallam on Bargur is nearing its completion. The bridge with six concrete deck slabs is likely to be ready for use within this month, according to official sources.
Forming a part of the Rs. 2.89-crore project for linking Thamaraikarai with Kongadai, the overbridge has been a long-felt need of several thousands of residents in hamlets spread out on the hills.
The residents, most of them farmers and daily labourers in Anthiyur and surroundings, face severe ordeal during rainy seasons when water gushing in the wild stream cut them off from the rest of the district.
With no bus services, about 9,000 residents of Kongadai, Onnakarai, Thammureddi, Hosur, Chinnasenkulam, Periyasengulam, Kovil Natham, Alanai, Pattapalaya, Thalakarai, Tholli, and Periyur hamlets have to cross the bridge to reach Thamaraikarai, located 20km away.
Though funds were available specifically for linking remote villages under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, the construction of the link road got delayed since Forest Department had not accorded sanction for long. After completion of overbridge, metal road has to be laid to a length of about six km. Only then can buses be operated till Kongadai.
