Sun Aug 03 11:51:17 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text.
**Summary:**
After a seven-month delay, construction has begun on a four-lane rail over-bridge near the Anglo French Textiles (AFT) level crossing on Cuddalore Road in Puducherry. The ₹72-crore project, funded jointly by Southern Railway and the Puducherry Highways Department, aims to decongest traffic on the busy Puducherry-Cuddalore Road. The bridge, stretching 630 meters from Providence Mall to the AFT main building, will include a subway and is expected to be completed in 15 months. Residents anticipate the over-bridge will alleviate significant traffic congestion, especially during peak hours, and provide an alternative route to the city. The delays were caused by bus stand relocation and retrofitting of another over-bridge.
**News Article:**
**Puducherry Rail Over-Bridge Construction Finally Begins After Delays**
**PUDUCHERRY, August 3, 2025** – After a seven-month delay, construction has commenced on the much-anticipated four-lane rail over-bridge near the Anglo French Textiles (AFT) level crossing on Cuddalore Road in Puducherry. The ₹72-crore project is a joint effort between Southern Railway and the Puducherry Highways Department, aimed at significantly reducing traffic congestion on the busy Puducherry-Cuddalore Road.
The project had been stalled due to the shifting of the temporary bus stand to Cuddalore Road, then further delayed by traffic diversions required for retrofitting work on the rail over-bridge on 100-Feet Road following the May inauguration of the rebuilt Rajiv Gandhi Bus Terminus. Work officially began on July 30th.
The 630-meter bridge will stretch from Providence Mall to the AFT main building on Cuddalore Road and will include a subway. Construction will focus on spans for the approach road on the mall side first. Southern Railway and Puducherry’s Highway Department estimate the completion time to be 15 months. The Smart Cities funds will contribute ₹52 crore while the Railways will bear ₹19 crore.
“Piling has begun for the rail over-bridge,” said a senior railway official.
The project promises much-needed relief to motorists who frequently face delays due to the closure of the railway gate on Cuddalore Road. The level crossing is located on the Cuddalore Road branching off Maraimalai Adigal Salai and connects Mudaliarpet and Uppalam.
Local residents are optimistic about the project’s impact. “There is heavy traffic congestion from the AFT to Marappalam Junction,” said D. Jayaseelan, a local resident. “The rail over-bridge, a long-pending demand, will help to reduce the distance between Marappalam and Venkata Subba Reddiar Square. It will also serve as an alternative route to the city.”
Alternative traffic arrangements have been put in place to manage traffic during the construction period.
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