Flyover near Chidambaram submerged 20 feet: Traffic halted
Tamil Nadu: A flyover near Chidambaram in Cuddalore district, which was opened two years ago, caved in 10 meters long and 20 feet deep on Sunday night, halting traffic on the flyover.
The Villupuram-Nagai National Highway, which was upgraded to a four-lane road two years ago under the supervision of the National Highway Authority of India at a cost of ₹6,321 crore, suddenly caved in 20 feet deep and approximately 10 meters long on Sunday midnight on the flyover over the Kollidam River in the Erukkankattupadugai area near Chidambaram.
Notably, National Highway Department employees, who noticed the crater at midnight due to various temporary works underway in the area, have asked residents of nearby residential areas to vacate their homes. Furthermore, traffic on the bridge has been completely cut off.
Locals said: “There used to be a farm in front of the Kollidam River. A flyover was hastily constructed in this area without proper concrete pouring, and as a result, the flyover is constantly deteriorating. Highway department workers are currently repairing it.”
“The bridge suddenly collapsed while work was underway at midnight on Sunday. Seeing this, officials stopped traffic and asked those living near the bridge to move to safety. Consequently, we moved our children and animals to nearby safe areas. This flyover is causing us to lose our peace of mind.”
“Due to poor construction and hasty work, the bridge is constantly deteriorating. Therefore, this flyover should be completely demolished and a new one constructed,” they said.
