Rs 125 crore bridge to connect Manthani-Chennur

Karimnagar: The Congress government has sanctioned ₹125 crore for a long-awaited bridge over the Godavari River, connecting Manthani in Peddapalli district to Chennur in Mancherial district. IT minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu spearheaded the initiative, with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy laying the foundation stone virtually during his recent visit.

The bridge will cut the 70 km route between Manthani and Chennur to 35 km, easing travel and boosting regional trade. Some still prefer boats to cross the river to reach Chennur from Manthani. During summer with a decrease of water level, the people by laying mud roads used to cross the river through their vehicles.

Officials are working to secure forest department clearance, as Shivaram, the proposed site, is a crocodile-protected zone. The roads and buildings department confirmed tenders are finalised, and construction will begin soon after approvals.

The state secretary of the Kishan Khet Mazdoor Congress Shashi Bhushan Kache speaking to Deccan Chronicle said that the construction of a bridge over the Godavari River has been a long-standing demand from Chennur and Manthani mandals as the people are facing a lot of trouble with transport.

With the construction of the bridge over the river, transportation facilities will improve for the residents of Peddapalli and Jayashankar Bhupalpally districts and provide a convenient route to travel to neighbouring states of Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh via Chennur of Mancherial districts.