Construction of the second bridge in Bhadrachalam is still ongoing, with concerns raised about its completion before Sri Rama Navami on April 17. Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao had urged officials to finish the project before the festival, but progress has been slow.
The need for a new bridge in Bhadrachalam arose due to increased traffic on National Highway 30, which connects Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh. Despite the foundation stone being laid in April 2015, delays in completion have been attributed to the contracting agency’s negligence.
Minister Tummala has expressed concern over the delays and has been monitoring the construction progress. Meanwhile, a senior citizen of Bhadrachalam, T V Ramana, criticized the contractor for the prolonged construction period of the new bridge.
The old bridge in Bhadrachalam was built between 1960 and 1965, connecting Orissa, Chattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh. The new high-level bridge, measuring 1.20 km in length and 12 m in width with 37 pillars, is crucial for easing traffic congestion and enhancing connectivity among states. However, ongoing delays have caused frustration among locals and officials.
