Widening of NH 47 may be delayed further

It is likely to be completed by December this year

Inadequate funds had slowed down the completion of the widening works ofNH 47 from Chengapalli to Neelambur. File Photo: M. Periasamy

The work to widen National Highways (NH) 47 road from Chengapalli to Neelambur is likely to be delayed by another six months.

Inadequate funds had slowed down the project, which was originally scheduled for completion in March last year. The first phase works is widening of the road from Chengapalli to Neelambur and the second phase from Madukkarai to Walayar. Though more than 50 per cent of works are over from Chengapalli to Neelambur, fund shortage slowed down the works for more than a year now. In February this year, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) revised the completion date to July, 2014 as IVRCL, the contractor who is developing the road, had made arrangements for funds.

However, with the expected funds not coming in, the project had not progressed much during the last two months and will miss the July deadline. It should be completed by December this year, says an official source.

The NHAI started the works to six-lane the road from Chengapalli to Neelambur and four-lane it from Madukkarai to Walayar in 2010 at a total outlay of Rs. 850 crore.

K. Kathirmathiyon, secretary of Coimbatore Consumer Cause, says that the NHAI and the Government should initiate measures to help the contractor get adequate funds rather than just extending the deadline for completion of the works. The road users were hit by the slowdown in works. More road signs, diversion signs and name boards should be placed on the stretch from Chengapalli to Neelambur so that the road users would know where to exit or enter the main road, he said.