pic taken at Koothiyarkundu one of the accident hotspot near Madurai
Madurai : The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) plans to invest Rs 635 crore in engineering improvements at 25 accident-prone locations along NH-44 and NH-785 in southern Tamil Nadu to reduce collisions at junctions where village roads and local traffic intersect high-speed highway corridors. The project covers 23 locations between Karur, Dindigul, Madurai and Kayathar on NH-44 and two locations on the Chettikulam–Natham stretch of NH-785. NHAI floated an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) tender in August, with bids scheduled to close on Nov 17. The contract provides 730 days for execution after commencement. The major intervention involves constructing 16 vehicular underpasses at junctions, including Pallapatti Pirivu, Koothiyarkundu, Kappalur SIDCO, Pullalakottai and Paraipatti, allowing local traffic to cross beneath the main carriageway. About 35.6km of service roads will enable residents, workers and commercial vehicles to travel between neighbouring settlements without repeatedly entering the highway. Another 2.1km of slip roads will improve access at selected junctions. Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines Other works include a 236-metre bridge over the Vaippar near Sattur, widening of existing bridges and culverts, concrete roadside drains, crash barriers and reflective traffic signs. The package also includes a four-storey combined regional and project implementation office in Madurai, with a built-up area of approximately 20,000 sq ft.
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Manickam, a Madurai commuter, said, “Many areas are completely without streetlights,” making night travel difficult. Another underpass at Thammanampatty–Konnampatty Pirivu will provide passage for pedestrians and cattle, according to the tender documents. “Dedicated lanes for vehicles slowing to turn or accelerate onto the highway, along with traffic islands, are intended to prevent collisions between traffic and vehicles entering village roads,” said a senior NHAI official. “The objective was to address identified accident risks through structural improvements and safer access roads,” the official added.
The four-lane highways connect industrial areas, towns and villages while carrying long-distance freight and passenger traffic. At several junctions, motorists emerging from side roads have to cross or merge with fast-moving highway traffic. Poor lighting further increases the risk, particularly at night. Three foot-overbridges with staircases and lifts are also proposed near educational institutions and the PRC depot on the Madurai–Kayathar section. The project includes redesigning T, Y and four-way intersections, with changes to turning arrangements, median openings, and approach geometry. Dedicated lanes for vehicles slowing down to turn or accelerating onto the highway, along with traffic islands, are intended to prevent collisions between traffic and vehicles entering village roads. LED streetlights and high-mast lamps are also proposed at crossings with poor visibility. However, the tender does not include an advanced traffic management system for the highway corridor, a feature commonly incorporated in new highway projects. Download the TOI App.