Road widening work on narrow stretch irks commuters

MADURAI: A narrow section on the Dhanushkodi-Kochi national highway, which has been giving road users a nightmarish experience, has created further chaos as road widening work has been undertaken on that stretch between Achampathu and Virattipathu in Madurai district. Due to this traffic has been moving at a snail's pace. Though the commuters have welcomed the road work, they have however, suggested that the widening should be done one side after the other, instead of carrying it simultaneously on both sides.They also urged that the work should be carried out during the nights instead of creating hindrance in the peak hours.
The crucial NH 49 road connects two ends of south India - Bay of Bengal in Rameswaram and the Arabian Sea in Kochi, crossing the Pamban Bridge and covering up to 440 km. It passes through various important places like Bodi, Theni, Andipatti, Usilampatti, Madurai, Thirupuvanam, Manamadurai, Paramakudi, Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu and Thripunithura, Puthencruz, Kolencherry, Adimalli, and Munnar in Kerala.
The widening work in Madurai city limits for around two km at Virattipathu and Achampathu started by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Madurai division a month back is yet to be completed. "Widening both sides simultaneously creates traffic problem. Vehicles have to wait for minutes together due to the space crunch. Two-wheeler commuters from the local areas are the worst-affected as they are in hurry dropping and picking up their children from home to school and vice versa," said A Mathialagan, a resident of Achampathu said.
"First they started on one side. There was not much hindrance for the traffic movement then. But recently, they started digging another side even before completing the first one. There is not even space for the vehicles to give way to the ones coming in the opposite direction. Police personnel are often seen easing the traffic congestion," said R Muthu, another resident.
"Except this one place, travel has been smooth so far. Carrying out work simultaneously on both sides would always result in problem. Moreover, night time should be utilised for such works so that traffic congestions can be prevented," S Vimal, a driver said.
When contacted, a higher official from the NHAI said that they have been carrying out the work with great difficulty. It would take just a week time to complete the work. Commuters have to bear with inconvenience, he said.