Tue Sep 02 14:31:37 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text and a rewrite of it as a news article:

**Summary:**

On September 2nd, 2025, the Minister for Public Works and Highways, E.V. Velu, along with Minister for Textiles R. Gandhi, inaugurated three new high-level bridges across the Palar river in Ranipet and Tiruvannamalai districts and a new railway over bridge (ROB) near Arakkonam town. These projects aim to improve connectivity, reduce travel time, and provide safer passage for motorists, especially during the monsoon season. The ROB replaces a heavily used railway level crossing, and the bridges replace dilapidated causeways damaged during past floods. The projects are funded under various schemes and are expected to benefit thousands of motorists and residents in the surrounding areas.

**News Article:**

**New Bridges and ROB Open in Ranipet and Tiruvannamalai, Promising Relief for Motorists**

RANIPET, September 2, 2025 – Traffic woes in Ranipet and Tiruvannamalai districts are set to ease significantly with the inauguration of three new high-level bridges across the Palar river and a crucial railway over bridge (ROB). The projects were officially opened to the public today by Minister for Public Works and Highways E.V. Velu, accompanied by Minister for Textiles R. Gandhi.

The new ROB, located near Anwar Khan Pettai railway station close to Arakkonam, replaces the existing manned railway level crossing (LC 37). This ₹37.05 crore project, jointly funded by the Southern Railway and State Highways under the Railway Works Scheme, is expected to drastically reduce waiting times for motorists. “Prior to the new bridge, motorists had to wait up to 20 minutes at the level crossing, forcing school vans and ambulances to take detours of 30 kilometers,” explained B. Sumathi, a local resident. The two-lane ROB is 748 meters long and 7.5 meters wide, featuring LED streetlights, tiled footpaths, and staircases to the railway station.

The three high-level bridges replace existing causeways at Ocheri (Ranipet), Sholinghur, and Vada Iluppai (Tiruvannamalai), which were severely damaged during floods in 2021 and 2024. These new bridges, funded under the Comprehensive Road Infrastructure Development Programme (CRIDP) 2023-24, ensure safer and more reliable passage across the Palar river, especially during the monsoon season.

The bridges at Ocheri and Sholinghur, connecting Arakkonam-Ocheri Main Road (SH 126) and Sholinghur-Kaveripakkam Main Road (SH 06) respectively, cost ₹16.40 crore and ₹6 crore. The ₹29.10 crore bridge in Tiruvannamalai, located at Pudupatti village near Cheyyar, will provide a shorter route between Tiruvannamalai and Kanchipuram.

“These new infrastructures are crucial for improving connectivity and ensuring the safety of our citizens,” stated Minister Velu at the inauguration ceremony. The projects are expected to benefit over 35,000 vehicles and residents from at least 20 surrounding villages.

K. Tharpagaraj and J. U. Chandrakala, Collectors for Tiruvannamalai and Ranipet districts respectively, were also present at the event. The completion of these projects marks a significant step forward in improving road infrastructure and facilitating smoother travel across the region.

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