Faulty streetlight renders Kollidam Bridge unsafe for pedestrians

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TRICHIRAPALLI, Tamil Nadu: Faulty Streetlights on the newly built Kollidam Bridge in Trichy have rendered the bridge unsafe for commuters. Currently, the streetlights on the bridge are maintained and controlled by Pitchandarkoil panchayat, and residents are demanding that the Department of State Highways give the charge to the Trichy Municipal Corporation.

The bridge, built over the Kollidam River in a bowstring girder model, was commissioned back in 2015. The 18 metres wide and 800-metre long bridge serves as a key entry point into the city from the Chennai, Salem, and Namakkal districts.

Apart from motorists, residents, especially women, use the bridge for morning and evening strolls. About 216 street lights have been installed on the 24 spans of the bridge to illuminate the bridge. However, nearly two-thirds of them are not functional, which causes poor lighting on pedestrian platforms on both sides, rendering them inaccessible and unsafe for pedestrians.

Even though residents have complained to the panchayats several times, no action has been taken to improve the situation.