Gadkari Unveils Road Overbridge on NH 45-A at Pondicherry

Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari dedicated to nation via video conference mode a one-kilometre long road-overbridge across railway level crossing on NH 45-A at Arumparthapuram, Pondicherry on Wednesday. The road-overbridge worth Rs 350 million will fulfil long awaited need of Pondicherry, especially Villianur, Ariyur, Kandamangalam, Manaveli, Gorimedu, Arovil and Ariyankuppam areas. <p></p> <p> The event was attended by the Lt. Governor of the Union Territory of Pondicherry Dr. Kiran Bedi, Chief Minister V Narayanasamy and Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways, Gen (Retd) Dr VK Singh, Ministers from the union territory, members of parliament, members of the legislative assembly and senior officers from the centre and the state.</p> <p> Speaking on the occasion, Gadkari said, the project was envisaged to bring relief to public from traffic jam resulting in saving of time and fuel, safe commutation, reduction in pollution, closure of level crossing and unhindered passage of the railway traffic. He said the four-laning of NH-45 shall provide unhindered connectivity of Puducherry with Karaikal port as well as ECR road which leads up to Kanyakumari. This would also give impetus to the agriculture and fishing.</p> <p> He said, Rs 700 million had been spent on NH construction during the last six years in Pondicherry. He informed about the ongoing works in an aggregate length of 287 km for an amount of about Rs 110 billion for Tamil Nadu-Puducherry connectivity. These include the Mahabalipuram to Mugaiyur section of NH-332 A, Mugaiyur to Marakkanam Section of NH -332 A, Viluppuram to Puducherry Section of NH -45A, Puducherry to Poondiyankuppam section of NH -45A, Poondiyankuppam to Sattanathapuram section of NH-45A, and Sattanathapuram to Nagapattinam section of NH-45A.</p> <p> Gen (Retd) Singh said the ministry was trying to ensure full connectivity of Pondicherry with Tamil Nadu and other regions of the country. The minister informed that work on strengthening of eight km long road from Madagadipet state border to Ariyur Village at an expenditure of Rs 90 million is likely to be completed by December. He further informed that detailed project report (DPR) preparation was in progress for the Marakkanam-Koonimedu section of NH 332 A and Pudhucherry Bypass, construction of grade separator at Rajiv Gandhi Square, and construction of grade separator at Indira Gandhi Square, at a tentative cost of Rs 13.54 billion. The minister said, CRF works worth about Rs 470 million had been sanctioned in the Union Territory of Pondicherry. An additional proposal for Rs 150 million may be approved if submitted by the union territory administration, he added.</p> <p> Lt. Governor of Pondicherry Dr. Bedi complimented the central government for fulfilling the aspirations of the people. </p> <p>She cautioned against the cost overrun of delayed projects, as it caused further delays. She proposed conducting refresher courses for road construction engineers including PWD officers.</p> <p> Puducherry Chief Minister Narayanasamy and Minister for Public Works A Namassivayam also addressed the event.</p> <p></p>