Work on high-level bridge at Puducherry’s Ariyapalayam nearing completion

High-level bridge near Villianur nearing completion, easing traffic congestion and improving commute to Ariyur.

In a major relief to the commuters heading towards Ariyur, the high-level bridge under construction at Ariyapalayam near Villianur is nearing completion.

Public Works Department (PWD) sources said the high-level bridge would be thrown open to the public by July this year. With this, the traffic congestion on the stretch from Villianur to Ariyur would be solved to a great extent.

The project estimated at ₹59.49 crore with financial assistance from the Union Government includes strengthening and widening of around 11-km stretch from M.N. Kuppam to Indira Gandhi square on the Puducherry-Villupuram Road and construction of a high-level bridge over the Sankaraparani River at Ariyapalayam.

The foundation stone for the project was laid on February 11, 2022.

“The high-level bridge is 365 metres long and 18 metres wide. It is coming adjacent to the existing high-level bridge on the Sankaraparani River that has become a traffic bottleneck in the city’s suburbs. It will be a four-lane bridge when compared to the existing two-lane bridge. Currently, more than 5,000 vehicles use the existing bridge every day, and the vehicle load will reduce significantly, removing the bottleneck,” said an official.

The new bridge will ease traffic, facilitating faster commute to Ariyur and areas beyond.

According to official sources, work on the simultaneous strengthening and widening of the 11-km stretch from M.N. Kuppam to Indira Gandhi square is also nearing completion. Work on the second layer of bitumen has been completed upto 7 kms out of the total length of 11 kms.