Commuters, residents frustrated as Anna Salai bridge remains unrestored

Anna Salai bridge over canal connecting South Bypass Road and Kokkirakulam remains unrepaired, causing inconvenience to commuters.

The present condition of Anna Salai bridge over the canal that connects South Bypass Road and Kokkirakulam has irked commuters.

The bridge, which was demolished by the Corporation to allow for free flow of water through the canal during last month’s rainfall, is yet to be restored, even though the monsoon has ended.

This has caused significant inconvenience to residents and shop owners, as they are forced to take an alternative route via the District Science Centre to reach Vannarapettai and South Bypass Road. Residents are urging the authorities to restore the bridge as its absence is creating major difficulties for both the public and natural flow of the canal.

Shankar, a resident, said: “The bridge was demolished at the request of residents as a precautionary measure against flooding, but it has not been restored even after the rain has ended.”

The current situation forces the public to take an alternative route, which adds about an extra two km to their journey. This bridge was mainly used to prevent traffic congestion, but now the failure to restore it has caused the public to endure heavy congestion on Vannarapettai road during peak hours. The bridge must be immediately restored to ease the public’s difficulties, he adds.

Shankar Narayanan, another resident, says the bridge was demolished by the Corporation during the recent rainfall, but even after 20 days no actions as been taken to restore it.

Tirunelveli Mayor G. Ramakrishnan said the Corporation had forwarded the matter to the Public Works Department and Water Resources Department. If there was any delay in the restoration work, the Corporation would take action to restore the bridge in coming days.