Every department has been gearing up for the smooth conduct of the Mahamaham 2016. The Highways Department has swung into action to strengthen the road infrastructure on all routes towards Kumbakonam to cope with the anticipated heavy traffic.
The Darasuram–Kumbakonam segment on the Vikravandi–Kumbakonam-Thanjavur sector is being paid special attention.
The construction of an embankment wall on this stretch has been posing a challenge as a sprawling panchayat tank is close to the highway.
The Highways Department has now been de-watering the tank as a first step. The embankment will be built to a length of 89 metres all along the curve and for a depth of 3.6 metres. “Even now, the area is prone to accidents because of the sharp curve. The problem will aggravate during ‘mahamaham’ period. Hence the precautionary measure,” say official sources.
Although the road will not be widened, the embankment, being built at a cost of Rs. 1 crore, will ensure road safety for the smooth movement of vehicles, particularly four-wheelers at this tank zone, the source adds.
