The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is seeking cooperation from the Tamil Nadu government for the Dindigul-Kumily four-lane expansion project. The current 295 km state highway, which connects Dindigul in Tamil Nadu to Kollam in Kerala, has been poorly maintained by the respective state highway departments. As a result, traveling on this road has been a significant challenge.
Increase in Accidents
Initially upgraded to a two-lane road in 2010, the road’s 10-foot width has become insufficient as traffic volumes have surged, leading to a rise in accidents. The road is particularly congested during the Sabarimala season and summer vacations, further exacerbating the problem.
The NHAI has now proposed to expand this stretch to a four-lane road spanning 125 km from Dindigul to Kumily, with a planned width of 60 feet. The central government has pledged to allocate over Rs 3,000 crore for this upgrade.
Currently, the journey from Dindigul to Kumily takes at least two and a quarter hours. Once the road expansion is completed, the travel time will be cut to just one hour, making it easier for devotees to access Sabarimala during peak seasons. To accommodate the expansion, 25 feet of land will need to be acquired on both sides, including a significant amount of agricultural land.
Land Acquisition Challenges
There are widespread claims that the DMK government in Tamil Nadu has been uncooperative in facilitating land acquisition for the project. A detailed project estimate, including the funds and land required, will be prepared in the next six months. If the Tamil Nadu government provides the necessary cooperation, the project is expected to progress on schedule.
An official from the NHAI’s Tamil Nadu division mentioned that funding is not an issue for the Dindigul-Kumily expansion. The NHAI has already approved the required funds for 2024. However, the acquisition of agricultural land is a significant hurdle, and the full cooperation of the state government is essential to move forward. If land acquisition proceeds smoothly, the expansion work could begin as early as December or January next year, with completion expected within 12 months.
The Tamil Nadu government is also expected to assist with the opening of a toll booth along this stretch of road, as part of the project.
National Highways in Theni District
Theni district has two national highways: the Madurai-Kochi National Highway No. 85 and the Dindigul-Kollam National Highway No. 185. The Madurai-Kochi highway runs from Madurai to Kochi, passing through Theni, Bodi, Devikulam, Munnar, and Muvattupuzha. This road has been extended to Thondi via Sivaganga.
The Dindigul-Kumily stretch, part of National Highway No. 185, connects Dindigul to Kollam via Theni, Kumbam, Kumily, Vandi Periyar, and Kottayam. The expansion of this road to four lanes will significantly improve traffic flow between Tamil Nadu and Kerala, boosting economic development, according to NHAI officials.
(With inputs from Dinamalar)
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