Durai Vaiko flags delay in commencing VUPs on bypass road

Amid growing disenchantment among city residents over the inordinate delay on the part of the National Highways Authority in India (NHAI) in building vehicular underpasses at accident-prone ‘black spots’ on Tiruchi-Chennai Bypass, Tiruchi MP Durai Vaiko has flagged the issue with the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

Seeking a status update and immediate commencement of the projects, Mr. Durai Vaiko called on Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Harsh Malhotra in New Delhi on Friday to to draw his attention to the issue.

In a representation to the Minister, Mr. Durai Vaiko pointed out that the proposals for construction of vehicular underpasses (VUPs) at Sanjeevi Nagar and Y Road Junction, which were highly accident-prone due to absence of safe crossing facilities, had been pending for long.

“Over the last 15 years, this stretch has witnessed 124 serious accidents, including 48 fatal ones, resulting in the loss of precious lives. Residents of nearby habitations, pedestrians and daily commuters continue to face grave risk while crossing the highway,” Mr. Durai Vaiko said in a representation.

In view of the recurring accidents and serious safety concerns, the local public had been persistently demanding the early commencement of the works. Although an independent engineer and a road safety consultant had prepared the cost estimates for the VUPs, the project had not taken off. “The latest update indicates that the bidding process for execution of the works is yet to be finalised,” he said.

Seeking the Minister’s personal intervention to facilitate the early completion of the procedural requirements, Mr. Durai Vaiko urged the Minister to ensure that the works commenced at the earliest.