Defunct high mast light at Thoothukudi Collectorate junction, a cause of concern for vehicle users

Commuters raise concerns over non-functional high mast light at Thoothukudi Collectorate junction, as the area plunges into darkness due to continuing construction work at the spot.

The Collectorate junction located on the Thoothukudi-Tirunelveli highway (NH 138), has been seeing construction work as National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) builds a Vehicle Under Pass (VUP) along with other structures on the same stretch at a cost of ₹97 crore, to eliminate blackspots in the highway.

For this project, the existing high mast light at the Collectorate junction was removed for the project and the power connection to the other light has been suspended.

This has left the area in complete darkness at night, forcing residents to navigate the junction using only the headlights of passing vehicles.

Anand Pitchaiah, a resident of Sawerpuram said, “The situation has remained the same for the past three months. People waiting for buses at the Collectorate junction are struggling to navigate due to the absence of high mast lights.”

He added that while the NHAI authorities have removed one of the lights for the project, they could have at least maintained the power connection to the light installed on the road towards Tirunelveli.

Another resident pointed out that although all the major offices of the Thoothukudi district administration are located on the Collectorate campus, no action has been taken so far.

Speaking on this, an official from NHAI said, “The power connection for both high mast lights has been completely suspended due to construction works. The VUP construction at the Collectorate junction is progressing at full pace and will be completed shortly, after which the high mast light will become operational.”