After 50-yr wait, bridge on Naganadhi to become a reality in two months

The Rs 3-crore bridge, which will ease travel time between the two villages to a large extent, is expected to be completed in the next two months, according to Collector SA Raman.

The river that flows only for half a kilometre separating both the villages, has been forcing residents to take a detour of more than 8 km to reach the other side, especially during rainy days.

Following repeated requests from the people, Commercial Taxes Minister KC Veeramani some months back laid the foundation stone for the construction of a bridge. Soon problems began as locals found out that the pillars were being raised without steel rods to strengthen it.

Villagers started to petition over the issue, but they failed to reach the officialdom. Hence, locals resorted to an agitation and impounded a government bus to press their point.

According to BDO (Village panchayat) P Raghu, “The agitation was given up only after technical experts explained in detail that the present construction won’t affect the strength of the bridge in any way.”

Collector SA Raman who initiated the work said, “Villagers repeatedly petitioned me that the bridge once built would save them time and money. Buses would drop off passengers near the river and they would be left to fend for themselves till they decide to take the detour.”

Raman also found that a causeway would help villagers reach agricultural lands and the Singiri Koil located near the same river, “Hence work is currently on for a Rs 49.20 lakh causeway which will also be operational in two months” Raman said adding, “Their agricultural producewill then reach the Vellore market easily.”