The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has commenced a survey to demarcate land acquired for widening the Trichy-Karur national highway, a narrow and accident-prone stretch connecting the western and central districts of Tamil Nadu. This initiative comes more than a decade after land was acquired for the project but remained unutilised, despite ongoing fatal accidents on the highway.
Survey Details and Scope
The survey covers an 11-kilometer section between Thindukkarai and Pettavaithalai. Revenue and survey department officials are marking the boundaries of acquired land on both sides of the highway in Perugamani village, based on compensation records and land documents. Although land was acquired on both sides, NHAI has yet to take possession of several parcels, with commercial establishments and other properties still operating on the acquired land.
Land Acquisition Status and Road Safety Plans
Officials have stated that property owners will be given sufficient time to vacate before the acquisition process is completed. Some landowners have expressed willingness to surrender the acquired portions, while compensation is still pending in a few cases. A senior NHAI official told TOI, “The survey is to review the land acquisition status. While complete widening of the highway is not possible, necessary improvements will be carried out to ensure road safety.” Officials expect to gain 10 to 15 feet of additional space on the narrow stretch for improvement work.
Local Demands and Future Projects
K Thangaraj, a retired Indian Air Force officer from Trichy, urged, “Using the land available on both sides of the carriageway, NHAI should provide a median and a bus bay for school students in Thirupparaithurai.” NHAI also stated that preliminary work is underway to prepare a detailed project report for the proposed four-lane Trichy-Karur-Coimbatore greenfield highway, aimed at easing congestion on the existing route.
Background and Context
The survey comes weeks after TOI highlighted how land acquired for widening the accident-prone Trichy-Karur highway had remained unutilised for more than a decade, despite recurring fatal accidents. The current efforts are part of broader road improvement works, including widening portions near the Cauvery riverbank.
