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Chennai, Nov 15 (IANS) Tamil Nadu’s Arcot city is all set for smooth and safe travel as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is set to soon open a new elevated corridor and an underpass on the Chennai-Bengaluru Highway (NH-48).
The project, built at a cost of Rs 22 crore, is expected to resolve the long-standing congestion and accident risks at one of the busiest junctions in Ranipet district of the state.
NHAI officials said the elevated corridor and underpass near the important tri-junction will substantially ease movement on the high-traffic stretch, which has been classified as a “black spot” based on accident data shared from time to time by the district police.
Once opened, vehicles from Chennai, including government buses and school vans, will be driven on the new two-lane, 15-metre wide elevated structure, while motorists from Bengaluru will continue to ply on the existing road.
The underpass, built below the structure with a height of 4.5 meters and a width of 20 metres, will allow two-wheelers, cars and buses to take safe U-turns and reach key localities.
For thousands of residents, this facility will eliminate the need to travel about 1.5 km to reach the other side of the highway. “This will help us reach markets, schools, banks and hospitals with less delay,” said a commuter from Arcot.
The single underpass is expected to significantly reduce the number of U-turn points on the route, thereby reducing the chances of side-impact accidents.
There are schools, hospitals, government offices and Arcot Bus Terminus in the vicinity – making controlled crossings essential for public safety.
Final touches are being given before the official inauguration. NHAI teams are currently laying the final black-topping layer on the elevated corridor to ensure a smooth surface. Installation of LED street lights, reflectors, warning signs and blinkers is also underway to increase visibility and overall safety.
Highway engineers say the location of the new underpass is in line with national standards, which recommend such facilities at an interval of about 1.5 km near busy corridors and crowded intersections.
With this addition, the Chennai-Bengaluru Highway between Krishnagiri and Walajapet – which covers a distance of 148 km and already has 19 underpasses – has received another major safety feature aimed at reducing accidents and improving passenger convenience in the Arcot area.
–IANS
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