Three bridges across Cheyyar river near Chengam, Polur towns inaugurated

Three new high-level bridges across Cheyyar, a tributary of Then Pennai, near Kalasapakkam and Chengam towns in Tiruvannamalai were opened on Wednesday, fulfilling the long-standing demand of residents in at least 45 surrounding villages.

Officials of State Highways, which built the new facility, said that three new bridges were constructed between Kalur – Kuruvimalai villages; Poondi – Pazhakovil villages near Kalasapakkam town; and Thekavadi – Kezha Kollai Kottai villages near Chengam town in the district. “We have to walk on the dry riverbed to reach the nearest health centre. Ambulances take detours to help victims. The new bridges have ended our ordeal,” said G. Pandi, a motorist. 

The new bridges will end a detour of at least 20 kms for residents in surrounding farming villages to reach nearest towns like Polur, Arani, Chengam, and Tiruvannamalai. “The new facility will facilitate easy transport of farm produce by farmers from villages along the river. Buses can also be operated in these villages, using the new facility. The new bridges were built to withstand massive floods during monsoon,” T. Murugan, Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE), State Highways (Rural Roads), Tiruvannamalai, told The Hindu.

Minister for Public Works E.V. Velu inaugurated the bridges in the presence of Deputy Speaker of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, K. Pitchandi, and Collector K. Tharpagaraj.

Funded by NABARD under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) 2022-23, the three new bridges, which cost ₹36.11 crore together, are 167.44 metres long and 8.40 metres wide each — enough for two buses to use it at a time.

As the Cheyyar and Then Pennai rivers witness flow of excess rainwater during monsoon, the new bridges were built at a height of 4.93 metres from the riverbed to prevent inundation of the carriageway and damage to its structure. The bridges have tiled footpaths, LED lights, inlets to discharge rainwater into the river, reflectors, sign boards, and hand railings.

The bridges are a lifeline for surrounding villages including Annaivadi, Kalur, Seethmpatty, Pathiyavadi, Salaianur, Annilai, and Kovur.