The two-lane bridge will be 700-metre-long and 12-metre-wide with at least 50 LED streetlights on the bridge and its service lanes.
The under-construction Rail Over Bridge (ROB) that will replace the existing manned railway level Crossing in Polur town near Tiruvannamalai will be ready for public use in April, bringing an end to a decade-long struggle of residents for the new facility.
Officials of State Highways, who execute the project, said that the ₹24.66 crore new bridge will connect the town and tribal hamlets in Jawadhu Hills to nearby key towns such as Chengam, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Vandavasi, Arcot and Arani through Chittoor – Cuddalore Highway.
“The new bridge will be a lifeline for us as it will connect both sides of Polur town. Tribals from Jawadhu Hills can also easily reach the highway without negotiating traffic in the town,” said C.E. Senthil, a resident.
After obtaining the nod in April 2013, the new bridge is jointly completed by the Southern Railway and State Highways on a 50:50 fund basis. The two-lane bridge will be 700-metre-long and 12-metre-wide with at least 50 LED streetlights on the bridge and its service lanes. Tiled footpaths with steel hand railings and staircases from the bridge to reach the railway station are being built.
Highways officials said that two pillars on the track and Concrete decks on them have been placed by Southern Railway. State Highways has built pillars on the approach roads of the railway level crossing.
“The carriageway work above the railway track, which is the remaining work, is being done by the railway. The bridge will be ready for use by April,” said a State Highways official.
Adequate lands to lay service lanes have also been acquired. Delay in land acquisition by the revenue department of the district administration has escalated the total project cost from ₹17.37 crore (2019) to ₹24.66 crore (2023).
At present, motorists have to detour at least 10 km to reach either side of the railway level crossing, which separates the town into two halves. They travel on the Bypass Road to reach both sides of the town due to bridge work.
Most schools, colleges, bus stands, government offices and banks are located on one side of the level crossing whereas residential colonies were located on opposite sides of the track.
Due to bridge work, many inter-district buses, stop only on the Chittoor – Cuddalore Highway. Commuters have to walk at least 5 km to board buses on the highway to nearby towns. Ambulances also detour to reach affected people in the town and hills due to bridge work.
Published – March 27, 2025 11:32 pm IST
