Tamil Nadu   

Valam to construct Rs. 1 crore railway underbridge soon

M. Gunasekaran

Palakkad Works Branch of Southern Railway examines the proposal and finds it feasible

CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN: A new rail underpass will come up near the two-span bridge along Uthukuli Road in Tirupur. — Photo: M. Balaji

TIRUPUR: The Palakkad Division of Southern Railway has agreed to construct the rail underpass near the two-span bridge along Uthukuli Road in Tirupur.

Responding to the proposal send by the Municipal Commissioner on behalf of Valam, the Palakkad Works Branch of Southern Railway has stated that the proposal was examined and found feasible.

Willingness

Valam, an entrepreneurs' initiative begun in order to create infrastructure in the knitwear town of Tirupur, has already expressed its willingness to bear the total cost of the bridge that comes close to Rs.1 crore.

It is eager to see the project executed at the earliest, mainly to reduce the traffic congestion on Tirupur roads.

Railway authorities have asked Tirupur Municipality to pay Rs.1.97 lakh (two per cent of approximate estimate cost) towards `centage' charges, to prepare the plan and estimate, and carry out further processing.

When contacted, Municipal Commissioner M. Ashokan said that they would send a demand draft to the railway authorities as Valam had already deposited the amount with the Municipality.

Connection

The bridge will connect Om Sakthi Temple Road on the north.

According to the proposal, the bridge will facilitate movement of all types of light motor vehicles including autos that ply frequently on the roads of the town.

Warsaw M. Ramu, Gandeepan, A.T. Ganesan and consultant K. Shanmugaraj, the trustees of Valam led by Coimbatore MP K. Subbarayan met the Union Minister of State for Railways R. Velu in August to press the demand for putting up the structure that would be of much use to residents and visitors on the hosiery town.

Expenditure

"We were expecting the nod from the railways at any moment.

"We are willing to bear the cost of Rs. 98.67 lakhs to construct the bridge and there will be no delay in our part,'' asserts N. Krishnasamy, chairman of Valam.

In keeping with the norms, the railways will invite tenders only after getting the total amount from Valam.

It would take a few weeks to prepare the detailed plan and estimates, sources said.

At present, the rail overbridge near Tirupur Railway Station is the only link that is available for the movement of heavy vehicles that connects northern and southern parts of Tirupur.

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