Works to widen the National Highways road from Chengapalli to Neelambur and from Madukkarai to Walayar, is expected to take a couple of months more to be completed and also depends on availability of the funds required.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) took up widening of 54 km of road in 2010 under the build-operate-transfer mode. The ₹. 850 crore project was to be completed in 30 months, in two sections.
“This project has seen several deadlines. But, it is yet to be completed. Progress of road works at a rapid pace is visible in the neighbouring State - Kerala. Efforts should be taken to complete the Madukkarai-Walayar stretch at the earliest,” said Ravi Sam, former chairman of Confederation of Indian Industry, Coimbatore.
While progress of works are visible on the Neelambur stretch, it is at a very slow pace from Madukkarai, point out those who use the Walayar road regularly.
The proposal was to widen the Chengapalli-Neelambur stretch into a six-lane road and the Madukkarai to Walayar stretch into a four-lane one.
An official source says the project is 99 % over. All the works on the Chengapalli-Neelambur segment will be over in another two weeks. Works from Madukkarai to Walayar will take a couple of months.
The total project requires ₹. 35 crore to ₹. 40 crore more. The banks are releasing the funds in phases. Hence, the completion schedule also depends on availability of funds.
Bitumen topping, service road on either side, installation of road safety gadgets, etc., will all be completed with ₹. 35 crore. One major work remains on the Madukkarai-Walayar stretch and only that will take time, the official said.
“The NHAI and the concessionaire are confident of completing the works in two months,” the official added.
