NHAI to take steps to curb accidents at 16 locations

As part of the short-term blackspot rectification works, the NHAI will undertake remedial measures in 14 locations along the Tambaram-Tindivanam stretch, which is one of the busiest stretches in the State witnessing heaving to and fro traffic all throughout the day. Similar remedial measures would be undertaken at Nazarathpet and Thandalam junctions along the Chennai-Bengaluru highway.

NHAI has invited bids for the two stretches separately at an estimated cost Rs 1.79 crore for the Tambaram-Tindivanam section and Rs 49 lakh for the Poonamallee-Sriperumbudur stretch.

As per the Ministry of Road Transport and Highway’s Protocol for identification of black spots, an accident blackspot is a stretch of road about 500 m long on which either five road accidents, involving fatalities and grievous injuries, had been reported during the last three calendar years or 10 fatalities during the last three years.

A senior official of NHAI said that the short-term measures to be taken up, including providing road studs, cautionary signboards, mandatory signboards, road markings, pedestrian crossing and solar blinkers. On the Tambaram-Tindivanam stretch, the official said that high mast lights would be installed in seven of the 14 locations to increase visibility. “We will also construct waiting lane in seven locations to reduce the accidents,” he added.

At Nazarathpet and Thandalam junctions along the Poonamallee-Sriperumbudur stretch, the official added that speed breakers would be constructed on the crossroads along with providing pedestrian guard rail.