Bridge on Pottepalem spillway: Dream of Nellore people to come true

The problem faced by the motorists of Nellore city every monsoon season, when the water flows over the spillway of Nellore Cheruvu (Nellore tank) at Pottepalem, will soon be a story of the past, with Andhra Pradesh Government approving ₹4.85 crore for building a bridge at the spot.

The foundation stone for the spillway will be laid on January 5, 2026 and the bridge will be operational by August 2026.

The absence of a bridge remained a problem for decades not just to the residents of Nellore city, but also for the regular commuters across the five constituencies of Nellore Rural, Sarvepalli, Atmakur, Kovur and Udayagiri. People visiting Jonnawada temple often complain of a ‘risky ride’ with the constant water flow.

Jala Deeksha

After getting elected as a Yuvajana Sramika Rythu (YSR) Congress legislator in 2019, Nellore Rural MLA attempted to stage a demonstration called ‘Jala Deeksha’ for realising the long-pending dream, but he was subjected to house arrest to thwart his protest.

After switching over to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) ahead of 2024 elections and becoming part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) regime, he used his political connections to convince the Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu to sanction funds for the project by explaining the ordeals faced by commuters during the monsoon season.

“In spite of the former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy affixing signature on the file several times, the bridge on Pottepalem spillway remained on paper. In contrast, the present Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu gave the nod and accorded sanction of R&B funds in no time,” Mr. Sridhar Reddy recalled.

The road not only links Nellore to the Rayalaseema region on the west, but is also a shortcut to Buchireddypalem that connects to National Highway-67 (NH). Immediately after this bridge is completed and brought to use, Mr. Sridhar Reddy plans another bridge on Mulumudi canal, also in his constituency.