A ₹26.65 crore Road Over Bridge (ROB), which was built across the rail line at Navalpur in Ranipet town, was opened on Saturday, bringing relief to hundreds of motorists.
Officials of National Highways wing of State Highways, who carried out the work along with Southern Railway, said that the entire work was completed in June this year. However, the new bridge was kept closed for official inauguration by the Centre as the project was entirely funded by the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways.
To end the ordeal of motorists of taking a detour to reach the town, the residents demanded its opening as early as possible for public use. “The new bridge will end a detour of at least 5-6 kms to reach Ranipet town from surrounding villages to reach hospitals and government offices. Ambulances can reach the needy on time, using the new facility,” said R. Parvathi, a resident.
Minister for Textiles and Handlooms, R. Gandhi, who is also Ranipet MLA, inaugurated the bridge by taking a stroll on the new facility along with residents, social activists, elected representatives and officials of State Highways.
Originally given its nod in 2019, the bridge is jointly done by the Southern Railway and State Highways. The two-lane bridge is 921 metres long and 12 metres wide with at least 50 LED street lights on the bridge and its service lanes. Tiled footpaths with steel hand railings also provided. Staircases from the bridge to reach the railway station at Navalpur are available.
