Cauvery Bridge Project Fast-Tracked by State Highways Department

23 Jan 2025 CW Team

The state highways department has expedited efforts on the construction and land acquisition for a new high-level bridge across the Cauvery River, linking Trichy mainland to the Srirangam highland. With the river's flow expected to decrease in the coming weeks, the department is accelerating the development of the 96 prestressed girders necessary for the bridge’s construction.

Officials stated that a load test will be carried out on a test pile foundation drilled into the riverbed. The test will apply heavier loads than expected during normal vehicular use to assess the stability of sand and rock layers beneath the riverbed and ensure the bridge’s structural soundness.

Currently, the Cauvery is releasing 3,500 to 4,100 cusecs of water through the Mukkombu regulator. "Riverbed construction, including the pile foundation, will commence in February when water levels are forecasted to drop significantly," said an official. A working platform will be erected for construction workers and machinery.

Of the 96 girders needed, 30 have already been fabricated at a temporary site near Odathurai Road. Once completed, the girders will be transported and assembled for the bridge, which will have 16 spans supported by 15 pillars. At the same time, significant progress has been made on land acquisition for the approach road at the Melachinthamani end of the bridge. A gazette notification outlining the land to be acquired has been prepared, with compensation for patta lands, buildings, and encroachments.

"Although some objections have been raised, we are hopeful of resolving them amicably," an official concluded.

Infrastructure Transport

09 Sep 2025

GDA to Buy Land for RNE Roads, Clear Maps for Housing

The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) will now directly purchase land from owners for eight major roads under the zonal plan for Raj Nagar Extension (RNE), paving the way for improved road infrastructure and residential development in the area, officials confirmed on Wednesday.Seven of these roads have remained stalled due to land acquisition hurdles, prompting the GDA to approve a proposal for direct purchase. The plan includes five roads with widths of 45 metres each, one 30-metre-wide road, and two roads of 24 metres in width—all integral to the approved zonal plan for RNE.“This dec..

Nisus Acquires Majority Stake in NCCCL for Rs 700 Million

Nisus Finance Services Co Limited has acquired a majority stake in New Consolidated Construction Company Ltd (NCCCL) through its subsidiary, Nisus Finance Projects LLP. The management-led, all-cash buyout includes a Rs 700 million infusion as primary growth capital, aimed at strengthening NCCCL’s balance sheet and driving its expansion across India’s infrastructure landscape.The acquisition represents a strategic milestone in Nisus Finance’s goal to consolidate its urban infrastructure platform. As part of the transition, NCCCL’s Managing Director and CEO Mahesh Mudda will become the P..

52 Trains to Get Extra Halts on Central Railway Routes

The Ministry of Railways has introduced additional halts for 52 trains at 22 stations across the Central Railway network as part of an experimental initiative to improve passenger convenience. The move spans multiple divisions—Mumbai, Pune, Solapur, Bhusaval, and Nagpur—with the changes coming into effect from 3 and 4 September.In the Mumbai Division, 14 trains will receive new halts across four stations. Pune Division leads the expansion with 22 trains gaining stops at 11 stations. Solapur and Bhusaval divisions will each see six trains halting at three and two stations, respectively, whi..