Sri Vijaya Puram, July 6: The prolonged closure of Chatham Bridge to four-wheelers continues to disrupt daily travel for thousands of commuters, students and residents, even as officials have indicated that repair work is progressing on schedule and the bridge is expected to reopen by December after mandatory safety inspections and clearances.
The update came during an inspection of the ongoing repair and restoration work carried out by Adhyaksh, Zilla Parishad South Andaman, P. Ummer, along with Chief Engineer, APWD, Prajit Rekh. The inspection was attended by P.A. Sharfuddin, Chairman of the Works and Development Committee of Zilla Parishad South Andaman, Zilla Parishad Member Abdul Bashir, Simson PSM, engineering officials of the Zilla Parishad South Andaman and a team of engineers from the Andaman Public Works Department (APWD).
During the visit, the team reviewed the progress of the repair work and discussed measures being taken to ensure that the project is completed within the scheduled timeline. The Chief Engineer informed the inspection team that the restoration work is progressing as planned.
Chatham Bridge is a key transport link connecting Ferrargunj Tehsil with the headquarters at Sri Vijaya Puram. The continued restriction on four-wheeler movement during the repair period has caused inconvenience to residents, commuters, students and other road users who depend on the bridge for daily connectivity.
The inspection focused on assessing the pace of construction and reviewing the ongoing restoration process to ensure that the project remains on schedule.
During the review, P. Ummer stressed the importance of completing the work within the stipulated timeframe, considering the bridge’s role in supporting the socio-economic activities of the region. He also called for maintaining the required quality standards while executing the project and avoiding unnecessary delays.
The Chief Engineer stated that efforts are being made to expedite the work and informed that the repair of the bridge is expected to be completed by December.
According to the APWD, the bridge will be reopened for four-wheeler traffic only after all mandatory safety inspections and clearances are completed. The reopening is expected to restore normal vehicular movement and provide relief to residents of Ferrargunj Tehsil and adjoining areas who have been affected by the prolonged restrictions.
The inspection formed part of the ongoing monitoring of a critical public infrastructure project aimed at ensuring timely completion while restoring an important transport corridor connecting Ferrargunj with Sri Vijaya Puram.
