Sand lorry owners want Chennai-Tirupati road repaired – The Hindu

Members of the Tamil Nadu State Sand Lorry Owners’ Federation staged a protest at Pattaraiperumbudur in Tiruvallur district on Thursday demanding the damaged portions of Chennai-Tirupati Road to be repaired and speedy construction of bridges at Pattaraiperumbudur and Narayanapuram.

They complained that the stretch falling under Pattaraiperumbudur toll plaza remained battered and posed a risk to motorists. People were put to hardship as the construction of two bridges at Pattaraiperumbudur and Narayanapuram was yet to be completed.

Federation president S. Yuvaraj said the construction work at Pattaraiperumbudur had been put on hold for several months. This forced people travelling between Tiruttani and Tiruvallur to use the dilapidated old bridge. He wanted the work to be resumed early. “We have made a representation to the Tiruvallur district administration. The officials have assured us that the pothole-ridden portion of the road would be repaired in a month and the construction of the bridges would be resumed in March,” he said.

The Federation had written to the Chairman of the National Highways Authority of India complaining about the poor maintenance of several stretches of roads such as Chennai-Bengaluru National Highway between Walajapet and Maduravoyal; Chennai-Tada Road; Ulundurpet-Salem; and Krishnagiri-Salem sections.

Members alleged that incomplete roadwork caused accidents. About 500 accidents are reported every year at the Nazarathpet junction and on the Walajapet-Maduravoyal stretch of Chennai-Bengaluru NH. They complained that high toll was being collected although the road had not been widened to a six-lane.

Members of the Building Equipment Owners’ Association and Construction and Real Estate Industry Coalition also participated in the protest.

Srimathi Sadagopan, a resident of Pattabiram, said the road was poorly maintained and had many potholes. “It has been classified as a national highway but no development has happened in the last seven years. The NHAI should not be allowed to collect toll on that road. The Madras High Court is worried only about the Chennai-Bengaluru Highway and is following up on the road repairs on that stretch. Nobody bothers about this road or even questions how a two-lane road can be a national highway,” she said.

New concessionaire

NHAI officials said a new concessionaire would be appointed for the 124 km Chennai-Tirupati Highway soon. “The repairs, if any, will be taken up by the new company. The need for a new concessionaire arose since the previous one did not maintain the road during the 2015-18 period. That company had not taken up widening of two bridges, work on which are now nearing completion,” the officials said.