The construction of a ₹12-crore bridge connecting Nagapattinam and Kilvelur taluks has picked up pace, with nearly 70% of the work completed. Once finished, the bridge will serve as a vital link between several interior villages on both sides of the Vettar, easing travel and improving access for thousands of residents.
The bridge connects villages such as Anaimanagalam and Kohur on the Kilvelur side with Okkur and Venagadangal on the Tirumarugal side. Until now, commuters had to take a detour of about 8 km to reach the other side of the river. With the new bridge, travel time will be significantly reduced, and essential services such as ambulances and transportation of agricultural goods will be streamlined.
“This was one of my key demands under the Ungal Thoguthiyil Mudhalvar initiative, and the State government responded positively,” said Kilvelur MLA V.P. Nagai Maali. He told The Hindu that the bridge would establish a long-awaited direct connection between Kilvelur and Nagapattinam taluks. “This was a demand voiced by the interior villages for decades, and it is finally being fulfilled,” he said.
“Our Okkur village is almost like an island. Though the other side was nearby, the canal made it impossible to connect with Tirumarugal. In my childhood, we had to swim across. Pregnant women, the elderly, and even ambulances faced enormous challenges in reaching hospitals,” said L. Rajendran, a resident of Okkur Panchayat.
Sources said the bridge work were expected to get completed in six months.
