Trichy Federation Urges Minister to Honor Poll Promise on Critical Service Roads
The Federation for Retrieval of Trichy Palpannai-Thuvakudi service road has formally submitted a petition to School Education Minister and Thiruverumbur MLA Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, demanding immediate action on his electoral commitment to construct service roads between Palpannai and Thuvakudi. This stretch on the Trichy-Thanjavur National Highway has been identified as a severe accident-prone zone, with residents expressing deep frustration over the lack of progress despite significant financial allocations.
Decades of Neglect and Rising Accident Toll
Local residents report that the proposal for these essential service roads has seen no tangible development over the past five years, even though a substantial sum of 84.5 crore rupees was specifically allocated for land acquisition purposes. K Rajendran, the general secretary of the federation, highlighted the alarming situation, stating, "No fieldwork took place beyond consultations and public hearings. Between 2021 and 2024 alone, this neglected stretch witnessed hundreds of accidents resulting in fatalities." The absence of proper service roads forces commuters from five wards of the Trichy corporation to use the wrong side of the highway, significantly increasing the risk for two-wheeler riders who often fall victim to tragic road accidents while attempting to cross.
Legal Mandates and Unfulfilled Court Orders
In 2019, the Madras High Court's Madurai bench issued a clear directive, ordering the state government and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to develop service roads with specified widths of 45 meters, 50 meters, and 60 meters. However, this judicial order has remained unimplemented, exacerbating the safety concerns for daily commuters. The federation's petition emphasizes this legal oversight, urging authorities to adhere to the court's instructions without further delay.
Election Timeline and Urgent Appeals
With the upcoming assembly elections on the horizon, the federation has made a compelling appeal to initiate the project promptly, irrespective of the model code of conduct coming into effect. They argue that public safety should transcend political timelines, and the construction must commence in strict alignment with the 2019 High Court order. This call to action underscores the critical need for infrastructure development that can prevent further loss of life on this hazardous highway segment.
The community's plea reflects a broader demand for accountability and swift governmental response to long-standing infrastructure gaps that directly impact citizen welfare and road safety standards in the region.
