State Highways Dept. commences work on bridge across Palar river

The State Highways Department has commenced work on constructing a ₹17.65-crore high-level bridge across Viruthasiri river, a tributary of the Palar, at Thakkolam village near Arakkonam town in Ranipet on Thandalam – Perumbakkam – Ayarpadi Main Road, bringing relief to the residents of at least 28 surrounding villages.

Officials said the new bridge will be built between Thandalam and Ayarpadi villages that come under Nemili panchayat union in Ranipet district. It will replace the existing causeway, built in the 1970s, which was damaged during the 2021 floods.

“The new bridge will be built at a height of 15 feet from the riverbed to prevent inundation even during major floods. Despite the 15-month deadline, the bridge will be ready before the 2026 Northeast monsoon,” S. Selvakumar, Divisional Engineer (DE), State Highways (Ranipet), told The Hindu.

Minister for Handlooms and Textiles R. Gandhi laid the foundation for the bridge, in the presence of Collector J.U. Chandrakala on Sunday. The bridge will put an end to the detour of at least 15 km to reach big towns such as Sholinghur, Walajah, Ranipet, and Arcot. “The new bridge will be a lifeline for residents, as they now cross the river in knee-deep water. The facility will also help ambulances reach remote villages in time,” said S. Pechiammal, a resident.

Funded under the Comprehensive Road Infrastructure Development Programme (CRIDP 2025-26), the two-lane bridge will be 125.06 metres long and 10.50 metres wide — enough for two buses to use it at a time. Around two lakh residents, including farmers and traders, will benefit from the project.

School students can pedal their way to the nearest schools across the river. The bridge will help discharge around 50,000 cusecs of water per second.

It will have tiled footpaths, LED lights, inlets to discharge rainwater into the river, reflectors, sign boards, and hand railings. Bitumen-topped approach roads will also be laid. The bridge will provide easy and safe access to at least 28 villages that come under Nemili panchayat union in the district.