Trichy Junction RoB Stage II Construction Accelerated for June Commissioning
In a significant push to meet the revised deadline, the state highways department and Southern Railway have intensified their respective construction activities for the Trichy junction RoB's stage II, aiming for commissioning by June. This development follows missed earlier deadlines and addresses delays in both land acquisition and component procurement.
Railways Procure Steel Girders and Initiate Assembly
Southern Railway has sourced a steel girder from Katpadi to complete the critical portion of the bridge directly above the tracks near Trichy Junction railway station. Railway officials confirmed that assembling and welding work has commenced on one of the two spans designed as a bowstring bridge, similar to the new Kollidam bridge.
"A second span will arrive shortly, after which heavy machinery, including a crane, will be mobilized to position the span on the supporting columns," a railway official stated. The assembly process is projected to take at least 50 days, followed by a comprehensive safety inspection to ensure structural integrity.
Highways Department Fast-Tracks Ramp and Wall Construction
Concurrently, the state highways department has expedited work on building walls and ramps for the multiple arms of the RoB. Efforts are concentrated at both the divisional railway manager (DRM) office end and the Aristo end, near the Ambedkar statue.
"Once the railways complete their segment and hand over the project, we will immediately commence work on the approach roads. Soil filling and wall construction are already in progress," explained a highways department official. Additionally, the department resolved a previous delay by acquiring 235 square meters of land at the Posts and Telegraphs (P&T) Colony, which was essential for the RoB's construction.
Traffic Flow and Utility Adjustments
The stage II RoB will streamline traffic by segregating vehicle movements: vehicles entering the city from the Chennai–Trichy–Madurai National Highway will continue to use the operational stage I, while those exiting the city will utilize the new stage II. To facilitate this, Tangedco is scheduled to relocate electricity poles on the Mannarpuram end promptly, ensuring no obstructions to the project's completion.
Background on Project Delays
The project faced setbacks due to delays from both agencies. Southern Railway experienced holdups in procuring essential components, while the highways department struggled with land acquisition. The current acceleration aims to overcome these challenges and deliver the infrastructure upgrade on time, enhancing connectivity and reducing congestion in Trichy.
