NHAI to construct new bridge across Palar in Chengalpattu district

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will construct a new four-lane wide bridge across the Palar River in Chengalpattu district. This would allow smooth movement of traffic in the stretch and reduce congestion on the two existing bridges.  

Sources in the NHAI said that it will be taken up as part of the widening of the Chengalpattu – Tindivinam stretch of the Chennai – Tiruchi National Highway (NH 45) into an eight-lane wide facility. “The strength of the existing bridges that were constructed in 1954 and 1983 have been tested. They are strong structurally and can withstand traffic. The only issue with these facilities is their width. They are only 6.5 mts and 7 mts wide and can’t handle many vehicles at a time. These bridges will be rehabilitated. Their decks will be removed and both will get broader decks of 10 metres width each,” said a source.  

This work of replacing the narrow decks with broader ones will be taken up on completion of construction of the new bridge. The new one will carry traffic towards Tiruchi and the return traffic will be on the existing bridges. The old and new bridges put together will match the width of the road that too will become eight lanes wide.

Meanwhile, work on the widening of NH 45 is being speeded up and tenders for the ₹2300 crore project are expected by December. The construction period would be three years. The detailed project report for the road with 35 junctions is nearing completion. The road witnesses over 70,000 vehicles daily and during peak hours from Tambaram to Maraimalai Nagar over 1.25 lakh vehicles take the road.

Karunakaran, who takes the road often, said that the road up to Tindivanam is quite important, especially to people who travel to their natives from Chennai. “There are people who travel every week and even daily, Traffic slows down at the bridges. Widening them is important to ensure safe passage to travellers. Accidents happen when local traffic joins the main carriageway. Local traffic should be provided service lanes and subways,” he added.