New high-level bridge across Ponnai river inaugurated

New high-level bridge inaugurated on Chittoor-Tiruttani High Road, providing easy access for 15 villages across Ponnai river.

A new high-level bridge across the Ponnai, a tributary of the Palar river, on the Chittoor-Tiruttani High Road at Paramasathu village near Katpadi was inaugurated on Friday.

Minister for Water Resources Duraimurugan inaugurated the bridge in the presence of Minister for Public Works, Highways and Minor Ports E.V. Velu, Minister for Handlooms and Textiles R. Gandhi, MP D.M. Kathir Anand, and Collector V.R. Subbulaxmi.

The new bridge was built adjacent to 1976 bridge that was badly damaged during Cyclone Nivar in November 2020. Since then, residents have been taking a detour of nearly 10 km through Arcot, to reach Melvisharam, Walajah, Katpadi and Vellore town.

“The new bridge will help us transport farm produce from villages to nearest towns easily. Buses will also resume their services on the new route to villages across the river,” said S. Velan, a farmer. 

Funded under the Permanent Floods Restoration Scheme 2021-22, the ₹35 crore-bridge, which was built by the NABARD Wing of the State Highways Department, is 297 metres long and 15 metres wide — enough for two buses to use it at a time. It is supported by at least 16 pillars.

The new bridge is four times longer than the old one, which was only 70 metres long, and provides easy accessibility for more villages along the river during inundation. “It has tiled footpaths, LED lights, inlets to discharge rainwater into the river, reflectors, sign boards and hand railings,” R. Poovarasan, Assistant Engineer, State Highways, told The Hindu.

The new bridge is a lifeline for at least 15 villages including Paramasathu, Vallimalai, Keeraisathu, Kottanatham, Lalapettai, Vasur and Kondakuppam in Vellore and Ranipet districts. Prior to the bridge, they used to travel longer distances to reach key towns in these districts for emergencies.