National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will soon widen two minor road bridges across irrigation canals between No.1 Tollgate and Samayapuram on Tiruchi-Padalur section of Tiruchi-Chennai National Highway.
NHAI has conveyed the decision in response to a petition from a road safety activist, N. Saravanan of Puthunampatti, who had sought widening of the existing narrow bridges in the interest of devotees undertaking padayatra to Mariamman Temple in Samayapuram.
In his plea, Mr. Saravanan pointed out that the road overbridges across Panguni Vaical near Koothur village and Peruvalai Vaical near Pallividai on the highway were not widened when the four-lane project was executed on Tiruchi-Padalur section by NHAI in 2005.
Two-wheeler riders and pedestrians, especially padayatris to Samayapuram Mariamman Temple, faced much hardship while crossing the narrow bridges amid speeding traffic on the highway. Most of the padayatris from various parts of the State converged on No.1 Tollgate and proceeded towards Samayapuram, he pointed out.
Responding to the plea, tthe Project Director of NHAI, Project Implementation Unit (PIU), Tiruchi, said the widening of the bridges would be taken up after approval of estimates. Officials of PIU also inspected the existing bridges on Monday.
Sources in NHAI pointed out that the narrow bridges were situated on a carriageway on the section and the other carriageway had three-lane bridges. The existing narrow bridges towards Padalur would be widened into three-lane bridges. Estimates for the project would be prepared soon and sent for approval.
Welcoming the decision, Mr. Saravanan said the widening of the bridge would help improve road safety. He urged NHAI to explore the feasibility of building an exclusive pathway from No.1 Tollgate to Samayapuram similar to the one between Dindigul and Palani. He also pleaded for strengthening amenities for padayatris by building public toilets and erecting street lights every 100 metres on the stretch.
