PRESS
INFORMATION BUREAU
GOVERNMENT
OF INDIA
CHENNAI
T
R BAALU APPROVES CONSTRUCTION OF NEW BRIDGE ACROSS RIVER ARASALAR IN KARAIKAL
Chennai, February 18, 2006
The
Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Thiru T.R Baalu has
approved construction of new Bridge across River Arasalar at km 176/300 of
NH-45A in Karaikal at a total cost of Rs. 470 lakh.
The
existing brick masonry arch bridge situated inside the Karaikal town across
river Arasalar, is 120 years old. It
suffered heavy damage during the Tsunami attack on December 26, 2004. As the damaged bridge was the only link
between the two sides of the Arasalar River, a temporary Bailey bridge was
erected over the existing damaged bridge by the Army to restore the traffic.
However,
due to development of further cracks at the crown in the mid-span, the Bailey
bridge was not in use for safety considerations and was later dismantled by the
Army.
Keeping
in view the difficulties faced by the people of the area in the absence of any
link across the river, between the two parts of Karaikal town, Thiru T R Baalu
as approved the construction of the new
bridge.
BKVS/Raj 10.15