Poor progress in railway RoB works hit traffic across Trichy

Trichy: Work on the new Manakkal Road overbridge (RoB) near Lalgudi in Trichy city is set to be delayed as railways are yet to complete their scope of work in the key infrastructure connecting several villages and towns in Trichy and Thanjavur districts.

This has affected commuters who are forced to wait for 10-15 minutes at the nearby level crossing.Sanctioned in 2023 at Rs30.9 crore, the RoB proposed between Trichy and Ariyalur stations was set for completion in 2025, but the deadline was revised to March 2026. Now, that deadline has also missed.The state highways department has already completed 90% of work for two approach roads and abutments for the bridge near Lalgudi town, but Southern Railway has not linked the two abutments, a portion just above the railway tracks.As the rail link is part of the Trichy-Villupuram chord line, one of the busiest rail routes in the state, dozens of passenger trains and freight trains using the route everyday force locals to spend 10-15 minutes at the level crossing.“Due to the incomplete RoB, a section of buses were diverted, and they are using a 7km detour route to cover agrarian villages around Lalgudi and Anbil. Railways say that the Manakkal bridge span is one of the longest in the state and claims technical challenges.

Whatever the reason may be, such a delay is troubling the public,” Perambalur MP Arun Nehru said.He recently inspected the pending bridge along with officials seeking reasons for the one-year delay in commissioning the RoB. Maris (Fort Station RoB) and Aristo (Trichy junction RoB) projects, are also facing inordinate delays and failing deadlines. Railway sources said that both RoB works will be expedited and commissioned within the year end.Revised Deadlines of Delayed Railway RoBs in Trichy:1. Manakkal RoB, Lalgudi: Sept 20262. Maris RoB (Fort Station): Sept 20263. Aristo RoB (Trichy junction): Dec 2026