Trichy: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) conducted an inspection on Saturday to address infrastructure lapses on the accident-prone Trichy-Karur national highway (NH), which is sandwiched between railway tracks and the Cauvery river.
Inspection Details
A team led by B Arun Prasad, project director of NHAI's Trichy Project Implementation Unit (PIU), along with members of the public, inspected a 12-kilometer stretch of the NH between Thindukkarai and Pettavaithalai. This stretch has recorded the highest number of fatal accidents. Activists highlighted unutilized land along the 12-kilometer stretch, which is most susceptible to fatal accidents.
Unused Land Discovered
While NHAI has claimed that lack of adequate land was the primary reason for not widening the two-lane highway, the inspection revealed that land acquired by NHAI in 2015 remains unused. K Thangaraj, a retired Indian Air Force officer from Trichy who participated in the inspection, stated, "NHAI perhaps lacks information on land parcels available with them to widen the NH. At least 10 acres of land should be available. The narrow road between Thirupparaithurai toll plaza and Pettavaithalai can be widened into four lanes by NHAI."
R Lakshminarayanan, proprietor of Lakshmi Vilas hotel in Perugamani, told TOI that his land, acquired by NHAI in November 2015, has still not been used to widen the carriageway. He is also awaiting excess compensation from NHAI as directed by the Madras High Court.
Safety Concerns Raised
Residents and frequent commuters urged Arun Prasad to install additional streetlights at Mukkombu, a tourist destination. A steep curve between Mukkombu barrage's entrance and Elamanur village was flagged as unsafe for two-wheeler riders, and speeding buses on the narrow stretch pose serious threats.
Improvement of stormwater drain infrastructure and construction of a pedestrian foot overbridge (FoB) with bus bays for students to cross the highway in Thirupparaithurai and Sirugamani areas were also suggested.
"The field visit was part of our routine. Solutions will be worked out based on our findings," the project director told TOI.
