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Funds crunch has delayed work on Ariankuppam bridge: PWD official

— Photo: T. Singaravelou

yet to move ahead: Partly constructed pier of the new Ariankuppam bridge in Puducherry.

PUDUCHERRY: The delay in the work on the bridge across Ariankuppam backwaters on the Cuddalore Road is leading to traffic congestion, much to the agony of the regular commuters.

The work to replace the existing 150-year-old bridge, which started in 2005, was suspended “owing to paucity of funds,” according to a senior engineer in the National Highways Division of the Public Works Department.

So far, only a few columns and piers had been laid, he said. Denying reports that work was suspended for technical problems, he said the contractor who was assigned the work, withdrew as there was a delay in payment. The PWD had sought permission from the government to select another contractor after funds were allocated, the engineer said. On reports about the sinking of columns of the new bridge, he said the defect was rectified after getting opinion from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. “ A team visited the spot and gave suggestions to arrest the sinking of columns,” he said.

The delay in completing the work had escalated the construction cost from the initial estimate of Rs. 15 crore. The final cost could be assessed only after the work started, he said.

The speedy completion of the project assumes importance given the increase in the number of private buses that ply from Puducherry to Cuddalore. Besides, several educational institutions, hospitals and industrial units had also come up in the area causing traffic problems on the old bridge.

Local MLA R.K.R. Anantharaman said the delay was caused by lack of proper planning on part of the Public Works Department. “From the time the work began, it was mired in controversy. It was delayed for several months owing to the sinking of the columns. This could have been avoided had the PWD conducted a proper study of the sand condition,” he said. The government should immediately take steps to sanction funds so that the project could be completed soon. Big cracks had formed surfaced in the crown on either side of the old bridge posing threat to commuters, he added.

Executive Engineer of the National Highways Division G. Vijayan said the bridge was strong enough to cope with the traffic volume and there was no threat to it. “The new contractor will be selected soon,” he said. The new bridge would handle four-way traffic and have adequate space for pedestrians, he added.

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