SLOW WORK ON ERAL, AUTHOOR BRIDGES IRK LOCALS

EVEN as a year has passed since the historic floods ravaged parts of Thoothukudi and other southern districts of Tamil Nadu, in December 2023, the state and central governments have failed to repair and restore the bridges across the Thamirabarani at Eral and Authoor.

- S GODSON WISELY DASS @Thoothukudi

During the unprecedented rain and subsequent floods on December 17 and 18, 2023, nearly 100 meters of the approach path of the Eral Bridge was washed away completely. As a result, people from Sethukuvaithan and Eral, on the south bank and north of the river, respectively, were forced to use the parallel low-level road built 50 years ago.

Similarly, the Authoor Bridge connecting Mukkani and Vadakku Authoor was also affected by the floods, affecting two-way traffic through the old bridge. The Eral Bridge is located on the Eral-Nazareth state highway, while the Authoor Bridge is located on the Thoothukudi-Kanyakumari national highway, said an official. These two bridges, located five km apart on the Thamirabarani, are crucial for transportation in the region.

"Although one year has passed, the construction of the bridge began only in December. The works are progressing at a snail's pace," charged Jayabalan, an activist who has complained to the district collector about the bridge's restoration several times.

People have also flagged concerns about using the old bridge, with farmers flagging difficulty transporting their produce.