State Highways opens ₹20.81-crore ROB in Tirupattur

The State Highways has opened a ₹20.81-crore road overbridge (ROB), which replaces the existing manned railway level crossing (LC 95) at Panchur village near Jolarpet town in Tirupattur for public use, bringing relief to hundreds of motorists in the area.

Officials of State Highways said that the new facility was a decade-long demand of residents in surrounding villages to safely cross the railway level crossing. “The new bridge will provide safe access for motorists to reach nearby towns and arterial stretches. LED streetlights were also installed to ensure safe driving during night,” K. Murali, Divisional Engineer (DE), State Highways (Tirupattur), told The Hindu.

Originally given its nod in 2020, the new bridge was jointly done by the Southern Railway and the Projects wing of the State Highways. The two-lane bridge, which was funded by the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, is 593.89 metre-long and 7.5 metre-wide with at least 50 LED streetlights on the bridge and its service lanes.

Tiled footpaths with steel hand railings are also provided. Staircases from the bridge to reach the railway station at Pachur are available. The new facility has approach roads to a distance of around 300 metres on either side of the bridge.

For motorists, the new bridge has ended a de-tour of at least five km to reach either side of the railway level crossing since the railway gate remains closed for long hours due to movement of express trains.

“Ambulances and government buses have to take a detour to reach surrounding villages across the railway track. The new bridge also helps people cross the track safely,” said B. Sampath, a motorist.

Highways officials said that the opening of the new bridge was delayed due to enforcement of Model Code of Conduct during Assembly polls. Authorities had also been awaiting a nod from the State government for the formal inauguration of the facility. However, as waiting at the railway gate for motorists remained an ordeal, State Highways decided to allow motorists to use the new facility without a formal opening.