The National Highway has taken up a plan for widening the section between Kollidam Number One Toll Gate and Jayamkondam to a total length of 42 km.
The work is being executed in a phased manner on this segment. The breadth of the road will be extended to a total of 10.5 metre from the present 7 metre. “On either side, the road is being extended by 1.5 metre each,” sources said.
The widening of the road will ensure adequate space for heavy vehicles, particularly trucks plying to and from cement factories bound for Ariyalur.
Farmers of the area have welcomed the work. N. Veerasekaran, coordinator of Ayyan Vaikkal Ayacutdars Association, says that the widening would ensure more space and thereby more safety to road users.
There has been an increase in the volume of vehicles on this segment. A large number of trucks used for transport of sand from the quarry in Thanajvur district pass through Lalgudi from their parking grounds. He pointed out that the widening would go a long way in bringing down road accidents.
C. Masilamani, district president of Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, said that the Lalgudi – Jayamkonadm segment was an important area catering to the needs of both farmers and industrialists. Hence, the widening would help drivers of tractors transporting paddy and other produce and heavy vehicles bound for cement factories in Ariyalur district.
