Two years on, Rallavagu bridge remains on paper

Residents of Rangapet and nearby colonies in Mancherial are facing daily hardships due to delays in constructing a high-level bridge across Rallavagu. Despite a foundation stone being laid in 2024, the project remains stalled, frustrating residents who demand immediate action.

Mancherial: Residents of Rangapet and surrounding areas are facing inconvenience due to delay in construction of a high-level bridge across Rallavagu in Mancherial town.

The causeway built across the stream was constructed in 2005 at a cost of Rs 80 lakh. It caved in due to floods in 2020, necessitating the construction of a high-level bridge. A portion of the causeway across the stream was washed away due to recent heavy rains, disconnecting Rangapet, Power House colony and Andalamma Colony with the town.

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Consequently, people of not only Rangapet, but surrounding localities are now forced to take Old Mancherial road to reach Mancherial town for various needs including medical emergencies every day. They requested the officials to take steps to commence the work on the bridge and ease their connectivity. They said that they were facing inconvenience due to the lack of the high-level bridge.

On March 10, 2024, Mancherial MLA K Premsagar Rao had laid the foundation stone for the bridge, granted at an estimated cost of Rs 13.50 crore, sanctioned by Telangana Urban Finance Infrastructure and Development Corporation (TUFIDC). He promised that the facility would be reality soon, ending the woes of the peripheral parts of the town.

Even after more than two years, the project remains on paper. The inordinate delay in creation of the facility is irking locals. “We hoped the bridge would end our woes in crossing the stream and spur growth of Rangapet and neighbouring areas. We are struggling to reach headquarters every day,” Anil, a resident of Rangapet said.

Meanwhile, officials repaired the causeway by filling earth, restoring the traffic. However, heavy vehicles are not allowed on the causeway. Only two-wheelers and auto-rickshaws need to be extra careful while crossing the stream. They are likely to fall down in the water of the stream as the cause is narrow and has no grills.