Cauvery bridge’s subsurface work to be completed before Mettur opens

Trichy: The state highways department has planned to complete the subsurface work, construction activities on and below the ground level for the new bridge across the Cauvery river before the Mettur dam is opened for irrigation on June 12. The department has been told to focus on the superstructure work soon after the water discharge so that the new bridge near Srirangam can be commissioned for public use by Jan 2026 or at least before the 2026 state assembly election.Officials said that out of 120 pile foundations to be drilled on the Cauvery riverbed, 80 have been completed. Similarly, three out of 15 piers were completed on the riverbed. Superintending rngineer (Trichy circle) R K Ramesh conducted an inspection on Tuesday evening and urged the construction and maintenance wing officials to complete the subsurface scope of project work before June 12, since water would seep into the work site once the dam is opened. "We have a month to complete the underground work, superstructure work can be completed amid the water flow. Diverting a portion of the incoming water without affecting its flow capacity is also considered to complete the new bridge on time," an official source said.Presently, the department has deployed 60 workers and seven officials for the new bridge. Pile foundation and pier construction works have been progressing from the Srirangam end and proceeding towards Melachinthamani end. Once the Mettur dam opens, Cauvery water would initially flow close to the Srirangam end. Hence, completing civil work in such areas where water flow would intervene shall help the department to commission the new bridge on time.New Cauvery bridge status:WorkTotalCompletedPile foundation12080Piers153