Sources in the Highways Department said that of the 20 deck slabs forming the upper layer of the bridge, the work of 18 has been completed.
Sources in the Highways Department said that of the 20 deck slabs forming the upper layer of the bridge, the work of 18 has been completed.
The construction of a bridge across Pulicat Lake to connect several villages including Pasiyavaram, Sathankuppam, Edmanikuppam, Vairavanakuppam and Edmani Colony to the mainland is progressing at a slow pace.
The 1,032-metre-long, two-lane bridge, which has an estimated value of Rs 18.2 crore, commenced in August 2020 and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Suman, a Pulicat resident, said that the bridge was a necessity for the residents of these villages, especially during monsoons. “Public, including children, are forced to walk through the water when the water level rises due to rain. Officials are hopeful that by mid-November we will be able to cross the facility on foot, which is a positive sign.
People have been fighting for the bridge since last one decade. Since the site is close to a bird sanctuary, there was a delay in getting the necessary clearances.
Highways department sources said out of the 20 deck slabs forming the top layer of the bridge, 18 have been completed and two more are expected to be completed by mid-November. “We hope to allow pedestrian traffic after that as we will also lay the bituminous tar layer together. Two approaches are also to be completed and since most of the required soil is available, the work is expected to be completed by this December ,” said an engineer associated with the project.
Though the work was to be completed by August this year, it took more time. Regarding the reasons for the delay, another official said that due to high prices in April-May, shortfall in supply of steel, lockdown in 2021 and very small windows for construction were the reasons. “The workers left when the lockdown started and it took us some time to trace them and bring them back,” he said.