Even as the widening of the 27.2-km-long Ring Road has just begun, the visit of the Principal Secretary (Highways) Rajeev Ranjan has given a fresh hope that the work would be expedited soon.
The State government had announced in the Assembly that ₹220 crore would be allocated for widening the Ring Road near Meenakshi Mission Hospital side to Mandela Nagar as per the Union Surface Transport Ministry guidelines. However, even after two years, there was no significant start-up.
Representations from trade and industry and road-users resulted in the elected representatives taking up the issue with the Finance Secretary for earmarking funds.
Recently, the Ministers ‘Sellur’ K. Raju and R.B. Udaya Kumar said that as promised by their leader ‘Amma,’ the project would be implemented.
Gathering pace, the district administration led by Collector K. Veera Raghava Rao swung into action and enabled removal of encroachments.
Be it lamp-posts or any immovable structures that came in the way, were identified and swift shifting of them had facilitated commencement of the widening, a senior Highways official said, and added that the Tamil Nadu Road Infrastructure Development Corporation was entrusted with the task.
Not only numerous potholes but also bad design of Ring Road at a number of points led to frequent accidents and they turned fatal on many occasions.
On an average, a little over 25,000 vehicles used the stretch on both sides, thus avoiding entering the city.
Heavy truck and trailer operators going to Thoothukudi Port and other destinations such as Sivakasi using the ring road have welcomed the widening.
On completion, the toll collection plaza too may become operational.
