Six years on, rail overbridge at Elavur nears completion

The Highways Department is giving the finishing touches to the rail overbridge at Elavur (level crossing 38) on the Chennai-Sulurpetta railway line.

The approach ramp and road for the bridge could not be completed after a private party went to court. However, after due negotiation with the company and a change in the design, the work resumed and now even the final BT layer has to be laid.

The ₹23.37-crore project on the 675-metre-long stretch, which began in 2012 had to be put on hold in 2015. The main portion of the bridge including that over the railway lines, approach ramp on one side and service lanes on either side of the bridge had been completed.

The Southern Railway proposed the project in its 2008-09 Railway Works Programme.

“The requirement for land was reduced after the change in the design. The court too disposed of the case after an out of court settlement was made with the party,” said an official.

Residents relieved

V. Ravi, who runs a transport company in Gummidipoondi, said the completion of the bridge at Elavur would come as a relief to residents. However, he said that the bridge at the railway gate at Thethikuppam next to Elavur was yet to be completed.

“The service road is damaged and vehicles get stuck in the pot holes. It is the gate next to SIPCOT,” he added.