NHAI Prioritizes Service Roads Over Flyover on Trichy-Thanjavur National Highway.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has prioritized the construction of service roads over an elevated corridor to decongest the Trichy-Thanjavur National Highway (NH), which is notorious for fatal accidents. In response to public opposition and the high cost of an elevated corridor, NHAI has decided to focus on the more feasible service road project.

For the past decade, the 14.4-km stretch of the Trichy-Thanjavur NH between Palpannai and Thuvakudi has lacked service roads, despite significant investments and new commercial complexes on both sides of the highway. While residents have been demanding service roads, some traders had suggested an elevated corridor to avoid land acquisition and property loss. However, neither the state government nor NHAI has made progress in resolving the issue.

With traffic congestion on the narrow highway increasing, the demand for service roads has resurfaced. NHAI has stated that they are unlikely to pursue an elevated corridor for this stretch of the highway.

“As people are not interested in the elevated corridor plan, we will not push for it. But the state government's support is crucial to materialize the service road plan,” a senior NHAI official told TOI. Besides public opposition, the elevated corridor's cost is another factor in its shelving. The service roads for the 14.4 km stretch are estimated to cost around Rs 520 crore, while the elevated corridor proposal was estimated at around Rs 3,000 crore, involving fund sharing between state and Union governments.

The highway has five major junctions—SIT College, Oil Mill, Kattur, VIN Nagar, and Malai Kovil—prone to traffic bottlenecks. Residents assert that vehicular underpasses (VuP) are necessary in addition to service roads. “We would like to approach and cross the highway without fear and panic. Vehicular underpasses are mandatory for trucks and highway-bound cars and buses to bypass the congested junctions,” said Saran Raj, a resident of Kattur.

Wrong-side riding and driving have become common on this stretch due to the lack of service roads. Residents also complained that the highway passing through Ariyamangalam has numerous potholes, falling short of national highway standards, making it difficult for two-wheeler riders. NHAI sources said that an estimate has been prepared and sent to NHAI headquarters for approval to sanction funds and commence road relaying work on the Trichy-Thanjavur NH.

ET