The road-widening work on Grand Southern Trunk Road has reached a crucial phase with the work on relocating road dividers, which started about a week ago, now complete.
Residents of Irumbuliyur and West Tambaram have been urging the State highways department to widen the 1.5-kilometre stretch of the road for many years now.
The work on the stretch between Tambaram and a road over-bridge at Irumbuliyur began during October last year with the department demolishing several buildings. It was expected to be completed in about three months, but was delayed due to various reasons as attributed by the Highways department. Over 50 families have surrendered their property to the government for the work.
Highways officials said the construction of medians for 1.2-kilometre is nearing completion and storm water drains have been created on one side of the road. “Already the stretch has witnessed several accidents involving pedestrians and motorists and traffic regulation is crucial and the median work has to be completed on time,” said R. Krishnaveni, a resident of Suddhananda Bharathi Street in Irumbuliyur.
GST Road (NH45) was widened beyond Irumbuliyur as part of the ‘Golden Quadrilateral’ project of the NHAI, over 10 years ago. The stretch between Tambaram and Kathipara too was widened by the highways department. However, this small stretch was neglected, residents said.
They recalled that it was in October 2013 that the State government allotted Rs. 43 crore for widening the stretch and a year later, acquisition of property began.
Residents of Irumbuliyur had protested on several occasions, demanding acceleration of work on land acquisition and road widening.
