Key stretch near Arunachaleswara temple in Tiruvannamalai to be widened

The State Highways will soon widen the existing narrow Tiruvannamalai Road near Arunachaleswara temple in the town to provide more road space especially for ambulances, government buses and school vans on the route.

Officials of State Highways said that the narrow stretch is a key route to connect surrounding villages with the town. It also provides a short route for long distance travellers and pilgrims to reach the town, especially the 14-km-long Girivalam Path and the temple. “The stretch near the road over bridge, will be widened to provide more road space for motorists and pedestrians. Adequate land on both sides of the bridge will be acquired for the purpose,” S. Anbarasu, Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE), State Highways (Tiruvannamalai), told The Hindu.

Widening work will be funded under the Chief Minister Road Development Project (CMRDP). The stretch will be widened from the existing seven metres to 10.5 metres to utilize the unused road space and will acquire private land.

The work will be done in coordination with Tiruvannamalai Corporation, police and Tangedco as key water pipelines from Sathanur dam for domestic consumption within the civic body passes through the stretch. “During rush hour, school vehicles, government buses and office goers find it difficult to navigate the narrow carriageway, resulting in traffic congestion. The widening of the stretch is a welcome measure,” said P. Bhaskan, secretary, Tiruvannamalai All Traders’ Association.

As part of land acquisition for the work, Collector K. Tharpagaraj chaired a meeting with stakeholders including officials from Revenue Department, State Highways, Corporation, police to fasten the process and compensate affected families on the route.

Highway officials said that 1.90 sq.metres of land should be acquired on both sides of the stretch to widen it. Except for a few government buildings like the market committee building, most of the land is owned by private individuals.

As per plan, the stretch will be widened to a distance of 425 metres especially below the bridge to allow vehicles to navigate easily within the town. The existing narrow storm water drain on both sides of the stretch will be widened to discharge excess rainwater and prevent inundation of the town during monsoon. Each drain will be three feet wide and four feet deep.

Tiled footpaths will be laid on the widened drain to allow pedestrians to use the space rather than walking on the carriageway. Also, separate space, which measures 50 cm wide, between the drain and carriageway is being laid with pavement blocks for utility works including electrical lines and internet cables. It will prevent unnecessary road cutting works to attend to any fault in these lines on the stretch. The entire work will start in the coming months.