Bridge built at 424 crore in Namakkal develops cracks hours after chief minister opens it for public
Constructed by the state govt's highways and minor ports department, the bridge is part of the Kanyakumari-Chennai Industrial Project.
Bhoomi puja for the project was held four years ago by the then AIADMK govt led by Edappadi K Palaniswami. The construction was paused for a few months because of lack of funds. When the issue was brought to Stalin's attention, he ensured that sufficient funds, along with additional resources for the project, were allotted to resume the construction work.
After the inaugural ceremony, a function was held at Pallipalayam that saw the participation of adi dravidar welfare minister Dr Mathiventhan, Namakkal district collector S Uma, Erode MP Prakash, Namakkal MP Matheswaran and other public representatives. Within hours of its opening, the public reported cracks on the bridge.
When questioned about the issue, minister Mathiventhan said the state govt had spent a substantial amount on the bridge and that it was not at any risk of damage.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Feirão Solar BV
Banco BV
Saiba Mais
Undo
"A significant number of vehicles are currently using the bridge. If at all it develops any damage, the same will be promptly inspected and repaired."
PMK leader Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, meanwhile, called for a probe into possible corruption in the project. He said it was the govt's responsibility to oversee the construction work and guarantee quality, especially when the bridge was built with funding from international banks.
He said the residents of Pallipalayam had raised various irregularities during the bridge construction work and those allegations could not be overlooked.
Anbumani said the quality of bridges and roads constructed after the DMK formed govt in the state was questionable.
"The bridge built across Thenpennai river near Thandarampattu in Tiruvannamalai district at a cost of Rs15.9 crore was washed away by floods within three months of its inauguration.
The govt evaded accountability by attributing the incident to the water release from Sathanur dam."
Collector S Uma, who examined the bridge after complaints of cracks, said reports of damage were false. "Prior to the inauguration, a load test of 150 tonnes was carried out in February to evaluate the bridge's quality and stability. The findings confirmed that the bridge meets all safety standards," she said.
In a statement on Thursday, the state highways and minor ports dept said there was a deliberate attempt to defame the govt by spreading false information. "The bridge has met all safety standards and the contractor is obliged to carry out maintenance for seven years,'' said the statement.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
12 minutes ago
- Time of India
Relief for Abbas Ansari in hate speech case: Allahabad HC quashes ex-MLA's conviction; restores assembly membership
MLA Abbas Ansari (centre) was sentenced for two years in 2022 hate speech case NEW DELHI: The Allahabad high court on Wednesday overturned the conviction of Abbas Ansari, son of Mukhtar Ansari , in a 2022 hate speech case. As per news agency ANI, justice Samir Jain set aside the earlier order of a special MP/MLA court that had sentenced Abbas to two years' rigorous imprisonment. Abbas Ansari, the then MLA from Mau Sadar representing the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party, was initially convicted by the special court in Mau on May 31, 2023. He had been found guilty under Sections 153-A (promoting enmity between groups), 189 (threat to public servant), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 171F (undue influence during elections) of the Indian Penal Code, and was also fined Rs 2,000. Following the conviction, Abbas moved the appellate court, which dismissed his challenge on July 5. Subsequently, he approached the Allahabad high court, which granted him relief by quashing the conviction. Abbas' election agent, Mansoor Ansari, who was present on stage during the speech, had also been convicted in the case and sentenced to six months' imprisonment. The controversy arose from a speech Abbas delivered during the 2022 assembly election campaign, where he allegedly warned government officials about the consequences if the Samajwadi Party came to power. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 11 Foods That Help In Healing Knee Pain Naturally Undo 'I have told Akhilesh bhaiya (former CM Akhilesh Yadav ) that after formation of the government, there will be no transfer or postings of bureaucrats for six months. First there will be hisab-kitab (scores to be settled), only then will transfer take place,' he was reported to have said. Abbas Ansari went on to win the 2022 assembly election from the Mau constituency with a margin of over 38,000 votes. (With agency inputs) Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
13 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘Masterstroke in bad policy making': Priyank Kharge slams centre's blanket ban on online real money gaming; says ‘why the rush'
Priyank Kharge (ANI) NEW DELHI: Karnataka IT and biotechnology minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday criticised the Centre's blanket ban on online real money gaming (RMG), calling it "another masterstroke by Modi Sarkar in bad policy making. " Kharge, son of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, warned that the move would hurt state revenues, investment, and jobs, putting at risk over 2,000 gaming startups and more than two lakh positions in IT, AI, and design. "India earns Rs 20,000 crore annually from GST and income tax via online RMG. The ban means states lose this revenue stream," Kharge said through a post on X. The minister highlighted how an FDI of Rs 23,000 came in over the past 5 years, but shutting India's digital industry could drive global investors away. 'Ecosystem collapse: Rs 7,000 Cr spent annually on ads, data centres, sponsorships, cyber security will all be gone overnight,' Kharge said. Pointing out that the Supreme Court is still considering whether regulation lies with the Centre or the states, Kharge asked, 'why the rush to ban now?' He also urged the strict enforcement of IT Rules, 2021, saying, "a well-balanced regulation will ensure jobs, revenue, safer users, national security and global innovation." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo Noting the 'unintended consequences' of the proposed blanket ban, Kharge said, 'Bans don't stop addiction or suicides. Instead, they push users to unregulated offshore platforms worth Rs 8.2 lakh Cr annually, where Government has no control at all.' The Online Gaming Bill, titled the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, was cleared by the cabinet and was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The government termed it a move that 'strikes a balanced path, encouraging innovation and youth engagement through safe and positive online gaming, while firmly prohibiting harmful online money games.' The bill seeks to boost e-sports and social online games while introducing a blanket ban on real-money gaming, betting, and gambling. It covers fantasy sports, poker, rummy, and online lotteries while also banning related ads and financial transactions. The definition does not include e-sports, which the government recognises as a legitimate competitive sport. The Bill imposes strict penalties where operators of illegal money gaming platforms could face up to three years in jail or fines of up to Rs 1 crore, advertising such platforms may bring two years' imprisonment or fines up to Rs 50 lakh, and financial institutions enabling related transactions could face similar penalties. Repeat offenders would be subject to harsher sentences and higher fines.
Time of India
13 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Naidu and Nitish are reportedly most fearful': Sanjay Raut links 'tainted PMs-CMs bills' to key NDA allies; alleges bid to stop exit
NEW DELHI: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Wednesday claimed that the Centre introduced the new bills in Parliament to check Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu from withdrawing support to the NDA government. In a social media post on X, Raut said Nitish and Naidu are reportedly most fearful of the new bills, which provide for the removal of a prime minister, Union minister, chief minister or state/UT minister if they are arrested or kept in custody on serious criminal charges for 30 consecutive days. "Modi-Shah introduce a bill in Parliament to arrest and sack CMs and ministers. Naidu and Nitish are reportedly most fearful," Raut said. "Modi govt worries they might withdraw support!" he added. This comes after Amit Shah tabled three bills in the Lok Sabha amid heavy opposition protests and sloganeering. The bills were referred to a Joint Committee of Parliament consisting of 21 members of the Lok Sabha, to be nominated by the Speaker, and 10 members of the Rajya Sabha, to be nominated by the Deputy Chairman. Several opposition MPs opposed the bills amid loud sloganeering, prompting Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to adjourn the House till 3 pm. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Find your car's value online in minutes. Spinny Click Here Undo Opposing the bills, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi said: "I stand to oppose the introduction of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill 2025, and the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill 2025. This violates the principle of separation of powers and undermines the right of the people to elect a government. It gives executive agencies a free hand to act as judge and executioner based on flimsy allegations and suspicions. " Congress MP KC Venugopal and Shah engaged in a verbal spat over the issue of 'morality' in politics. Venugopal said: "This bill is meant to sabotage the basic principles of the Constitution. BJP members are saying that this bill is to bring morality into politics. Can I ask the Home Minister a question? When he was the Home Minister of Gujarat, he was arrested — did he uphold morality at that time?" Replying to Venugopal, Shah said that false allegations had been made against him: "Before I was arrested, I resigned on moral grounds, and until I was declared innocent by the court, I did not accept any constitutional position."
