Chief Minister Stalin virtually inaugurates two ROBs near Katpadi

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Saturday virtually inaugurated two Road Over Bridges (ROBs), which will replace the existing manned railway level crossings at Melpatti and Melalathur villages near Katpadi in Vellore, bringing relief to hundreds of residents.

Officials of State Highways, which executed the work, said that the two new bridges will connect Melpatti and Melalathur villages with Valathur village on the busy Katpadi railway junction route. Express trains between Chennai - Benguluru and Coimbatore are operated on the route. ”The new bridge has ended a detour of at least 15 kms to reach neighbouring towns like Ambur and Gudihatham as the railway level crossing will remain closed for long due to continuous movement of express trains,” said V. Sokkan, a farmer.

Along with State Highways officials including R.N. Dhanasekar, Divisional Engineer (DE), State Highways (Vellore), Collector V.R. Subbulaxmi planted saplings near the new Melpatti - Valathur bridge to mark the occasion.

Originally given a nod in 2015, the two new bridges were jointly done by the Southern Railway and State Highways on a 50:50 fund basis under Railways Works Scheme 2015-16. The two-lane bridge is 772.20 metres long and 7.5 metres wide with at least 50 LED street lights on the bridge and its service lanes. Tiled footpaths with steel hand railings are also provided. Staircases from the bridge to reach the nearest railway stations are also available.

Highways officials said that the railway track portion of the work, which is 37.24 metres long, including concrete decks and pillars were done by the railways to ensure train services on the route are not affected. Ramp of the bridge and approach roads were built by State Highways. Each bitumen approach road measures around 300 metres in distance. Cost of the new facilities at Melpatti and Melalathur is ₹ 35.99 crore and ₹ 35.10 crore respectively.

Residents said that most schools, colleges, bus stands, government offices, and banks are located on one side of the railway level crossing whereas residential colonies were located on opposite sides of the track.

Prior to the opening of the new bridge, motorists traveled on the Bypass Road to reach both sides of the town due to bridge work. Ambulances have to take a detour for long distances to reach at least 10 farming villages that are located away from the railway tracks. 

With the opening of the bridge, residents seek resumption of all buses including long-distance ones to pick up and drop commuters in the villages. Original bus trips to these villages should also be restored, they said.