State Highways requests NHAI to construct vehicular underpass to access VIT High Road

The State Highways Department has asked the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to build a vehicular underpass near the Collectorate. This would link the recently opened Sathuvachari - VIT High Road with the Chennai - Bengaluru Highway (NH 48) in Vellore town.

VIT Road, which costs ₹90 crores, is maintained by the State Highways Department. It connects Sathuvachari and Kangeyanallur village near the VIT campus. This new four-lane stretch has helped ease traffic congestion in Katpadi and nearby villages.

The proposed underpass near the intersection of these two roads will allow motorists to travel safely without disrupting traffic on the national highway. R. Poovarasan, Assistant Engineer at the State Highways department, informed The Hindu about this request.

Motorists had to travel two kilometers to make a 'U' turn to reach VIT Road after its opening. They found accessing the new VIT Road difficult. Officials said that during a traffic, law and order review meeting chaired by Collector P.S. Leena Alex, the need for a vehicular underpass near VIT Road was pointed out.

G. Manjunath, a motorist, added that the national highway's service lane is narrow due to encroachments. The new underpass would allow direct access to VIT Road, preventing a long detour for senior citizens and women. NHAI officials said they were considering the proposal for a new vehicular underpass and would conduct a detailed feasibility study. This study would evaluate factors like traffic management, vehicle flow on the route, accident prevention, and alternative routes.