Tummala directs officials to speed up Bhadrachalam bridge repairs

Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao said the second bridge across the Godavari at Bhadrachalam will be opened after repairs to the damaged approach road are completed. He directed officials to expedite the work and expressed displeasure over delays by the contractor and NHAI.

Kothagudem: The second bridge across the Godavari river at Bhadrachalam would be brought into use soon after repairs to a part of the collapsed approach road are completed, said Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao.

The second bridge was shut to facilitate repairs to the approach road, but the work has been delayed, just like the construction of the bridge, which took nine years despite the scheduled completion period being two years. Traffic is now being allowed only on the first bridge.

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The Minister inspected the bridge on Wednesday following news reports on the delay in the repair works and expressed anger at the contracting agency and NHAI officials over the delay.

Speaking to the media, Nageswara Rao said he had directed the officials to speed up the repairs and bring the bridge into use in August itself. The bridge on the Amaravati-Jagdalpur National Highway serves as a crucial link for Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Telangana.