The upgradation of the Tiruchi-Madurai National Highway into a four-lane road has left hundreds of residents in villages near Valanadu Kaikatti area vulnerable to accidents. At least 15 villages are located in the 20-km stretch between Viralimalai and Marungapuri . The villagers, who cross the highway every day, often misjudge the speed of the vehicles resulting in accidents. In January this year alone, seven people were killed in three accidents in the stretch.
“We have planned to educate the villagers on safety measures to be adopted while crossing the road,” said a transport department official.
The problem is especially acute at Valanadu where villagers, office-goers and others from the Thuvarankurichi area in Tiruchi district and Ponnamaravathy in adjoining Pudukottai district enter the Tiruchi-Madurai National Highway on the wrong side.
A survey was being conducted at Valanadu and nearby areas for ascertaining the cause of the accidents, according to sources. As the area has large number of villages, the transport department is working on a joint action plan with the police department to bring down the accident rate. Meanwhile, an awareness programmes has been planned to sensitise villagers to road safety measures.
