Residents cheer opening of railway bridge, three high-level bridges across Palar in Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai

Three high-level bridges across the Palar river and a rail over bridge (ROB), which replaces the existing facilities that were built in the 1970s, in Ranipet and Tiruvannamalai districts, were opened to the public on Tuesday, bringing relief to motorists.

Officials of State Highways, which executed the work, said that the new ROB will replace the existing manned railway level crossing (LC 37) at Anwar Khan Pettai railway station near Arakkonam town in Ranipet. The bridge will connect Keelveedhi and Amir Pettai village on both the sides of the railway track. “Prior to the new railway over bridge, motorists have to wait at least 20 minutes to cross the level crossing. School vans and ambulances have to take a detour of 30 kms,” said B. Sumathi, a resident.

Accompanied by Minister for Textiles R. Gandhi, Minister for Public Works and Highways E.V. Velu inaugurated the new bridges in the presence of K. Tharpagaraj and J. U. Chandrakala, Collectors for Tiruvannamalai and Ranipet districts respectively.

As per a study by the Highways Department, more than 30,000 vehicles cross the railway level crossing every day. Funded under the Railway Works Scheme, the ₹37.05 crore bridge is jointly built by the Southern Railway and State Highways. The two-lane bridge is 748 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 will be provided. Staircases from the bridge to reach the railway station are also being built.

Highway officials said that the existing three dilapidated causeways each at Ocheri (Ranipet), Sholinghur and Vada Iluppai (Tiruvannamalai) across Palar river were severely damaged during 2021 and 2024 floods.

Old causeways were replaced with new high-level bridges across the river to provide safe access to residents during monsoon. Funded under the Comprehensive Road Infrastructure Development Programme (CRIDP) 2023-24, two bridges were built to connect Arakkonam - Ocheri Main Road (SH 126) and Sholinghur - Kaveripakkam Main Road (SH0 6) at a cost of ₹16.40 crore and ₹6 crore respectively.

Each bridge, on an average, is 90 metres long, 10.5 metres wide, with five pillars. More than 35,000 vehicles have been using the existing damaged causeways in these villages. The new bridges are expected to benefit motorists from at least 20 surrounding villages.

In Tiruvannamalai, the ₹29.10 crore bridge replaces the existing causeway at Pudupatti village that comes under Vembakkam panchayat union near Cheyyar town. The new bridge will provide a short route between Tiruvannamalai and Kanchipuram through Pudupadi and Elupai Main Road (SH 116A).