As Palar river witnesses flow of excess rainwater during monsoon, the new bridge has been built at 1.35 feet higher than the maximum flood that occured in the river in the past 100 years to prevent inundation of carriageway and damage to its structure.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
A new high-level bridge across Palar river at Pachakuppam village near Ambur town in Tirupattur was opened on Thursday, bringing relief to residents in at least 20 surrounding villages.Officials of State Highways, which built the facility, said that the new bridge has been built between Panchakuppam and Azhuchikuppam villages that comes under Madhanur panchayat union in Tirupatur district. The new bridge replaces the existing 1970’s built causeway, which was damaged during 2021 floods. “The new bridge is built at a height of 15 feet from the river bed to prevent inundation even during massive floods. Using the bridge, people can safely cross the river during monsoon,” K.R. Rajathi, Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE), State Highways (NABARD), told The Hindu.Minister for Public Works and Highways E.V. Velu inaugurated the bridge in the presence of Collector K. Sivasoundaravalli and Vellore MP D.M. Kathir Anand. The new bridge will end the detour of at least 15 km to reach big towns like Ambur, Vaniyambadi, Jolarpet and Vellore by surrounding villages. “During monsoon, we had to carry sick persons in chest-deep water in the river to reach government hospitals in Ambur. Now, ambulances can reach the needy by using the new bridge,” S. Bakkiyam, a resident.
