Encroachments demolished to complete new bridge across Kamadalam river near Arani

The State Highways Department demolished encroachments on Arcot – Villupuram Main Road (SH-4) near old bus terminus in Arani town in Tiruvannamalai to lay bitumen approach roads as part of completion of the two-lane high level bridge across Kamadalam Naganathi river.

Officials of State Highways, which is constructing the bridge, said that most of the encroachments are houses and petty shops, which were built more than two decades ago. Encroached land near the bus terminus belongs to State Highways. “We have also acquired 125 sq.metres of land to lay approach roads for the new bridge, which will be ready by the end of the year,” S. Jayanthi, Junior Engineer (JE), State Highways (Projects), told The Hindu.

Highways officials said that the new high-level bridge will connect Irumbedu and surrounding villages with Arani town across the river. It will replace the existing dilapidated causeway, which was built in the 1970s but badly damaged during 2021 floods. “As the damaged causeway was closed for traffic due to its poor condition a few years ago, we have to detour at least 15 kms to reach towns like Polur and Tiruvannamalai,” said B. Murugan, a resident.

As per study by the Highways Department, more than 12,000 vehicles have been using the damaged causeway across the river, risking their lives especially during rains. Funded under the Comprehensive Road Infrastructure Development Programme (CRIDP) 2023-24, the new bridge has been built at a cost of ₹ 19.60 crore since January 2024 when the work was started. 

The two-lane bridge is 184.80 metres long and 15 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. The bridge has been built around five metres from the river bed to prevent inundation of the facility during monsoon.

Highways officials said that new approach roads will be laid on the demolished area along the stretch. It will be 12 metres wide and 200 metres long with footpaths and storm water drains. The approach roads will connect the new bridge with Irumbedu village and the old bus terminus area in Arani town. This work will be completed in the coming weeks .