Work on cable-stayed bridge picks up pace

Project aimed at promoting tourism, reducing distance between Karimnagar and Warangal

Karimnagar (Telangana) 27/07/2019: The construction of pylons for the cable-stayed bridge across river Manair progressing at steady pace on the outskirts of Karimnagar town on Saturday. Photo: K M Dayashankar

Work on the ambitious cable-stayed bridge across the river Manair, envisaged to reduce the distance between Karimnagar and Warangal town by 7km, is progressing at a brisk pace with the executing agency eyeing a February 2020 deadline.

The State government had proposed the Manair river front (MRF) on the shores of Lower Manair Dam reservoir on the town outskirts and accordingly decided to construct the cable-stayed bridge across the river to encourage tourism and also cut down the Karimnagar-Warangal distance.

Construction of the cable-stayed bridge started from Housing Board Colony to Sadavashivapalli of Manakondur mandal at a cost of ₹183 crore. Initially, the budget was set at ₹147 crore, but with a steep hike in steel prices, the project cost escalated. The work was entrusted to Tata Projects Limited and Turkey-based Glumark firm. Foundation stone for the project was laid on February 18 last year and already one pylon measuring 44.8 metres has been completed and another pylon is almost 40% done.

The length of the bridge across the river would be 680 metres. Besides, it would have a four-lane way connectivity from Kaman in Karimnagar to the bridge. The bridge would also have footpath for the pedestrians to walk along the bridge and enjoy nature’s beauty.

The executing agency is expediting the work by employing state-of-the-art technology and latest machinery and cables from Italy. R&B officials are supervising the execution. Pre-cast bridge segments are being produced at the work site. Once the segments are over, the authorities would place them on the bridge between two pylons and tie them up with the cables.

In order to avoid traffic snarls on the Rajiv rahadari from Peddapapalli to Alugunur at Housing Board Colony, the authorities had proposed a flyover at the location so that the four-lane road from Kaman would directly reach the bridge. Besides, the completion of the cable-stayed bridge across the river would ease traffic congestion at Alugunuru crossroads.

Officials have also proposed to light up the entire four-lane stretch from Kaman to Sadasivapalli across the cable-stayed bridge with LED lights at a cost of ₹40 crore.