Concern over lack of maintenance of Tirunelveli–Tenkasi State Highway

The Pettai – Tenkasi State Highway, which was widened into a four-lane stretch at an estimated ₹430.71 crore and thrown open to traffic only a couple of years ago, has started crumbling. The highway is one of the busiest roads connecting Tamil Nadu with neighbouring Kerala.

Hundreds of potholes that developed along the road to make travel arduous were repaired ahead of the recent visit of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to Tenkasi.

After giving its nod on May 29, 2015, the State Government decided to execute the 45.60 km-long four-laning of Tirunelveli – Tenkasi Highway between Old Pettai on Tirunelveli outskirts and Azad Nagar on Tenkasi outskirts on an outlay of ₹430.71 crore with its own funds and World Bank funding.

Work on widening and strengthening of the existing two-lane into four-lane between Old Pettai and Alangulam for 22.70 km was started on February 26, 2021, with the target of completing it on September 2, 2022. The second phase of the project between Alangulam and Azad Nagar for 22.90 km was started on February 24, 2021, with the target of completing it on August 31, 2022.

While this road with 79 culverts and two major bridges will be 35 metre-wide in rural areas, it shrinks to 25 to 28 metres in urban areas. One of the two major bridges will come up at Alangulam with 200 metres in length and the second bridge – a rail over bridge – is being constructed at Paavoorchathram with 990 metres in length.

The firm that has been awarded the contract should maintain the road for five years from the date of completion of the project. Trees planted along the road have been removed to facilitate the road-widening project.

However, neither the first phase nor the second phase has met the completion deadline for reasons best known to officials of the State Highways Department and the contractor concerned.

Unfortunately, the four-lane road, which became fully operational only two years ago, developed serious cracks and the fractured portions developed into potholes causing accidents involving bikes everyday. Even though the potholes have become craters, the official machinery has not bothered to force the contractor to take up maintenance. Consequently, the road was full of potholes and craters till a couple of months ago.

“As Mr. Stalin visited Tenkasi on October 29, maintenance was done. Now, the potholes and the craters have been plugged. However, no one is ready to question about the quality of this road, which is a fit for investigation by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Wing,” says Senthurpandian of Tenkasi District unit of the BJP, mocking at the government’s decision to collect toll for using the thoroughfare.

“We have sent our report to our higher-ups regarding the present condition of the road. So appropriate action will be taken to make the road safe,” a State Highways Department official said.