NHAI to undertake repair works on Chennai bypass this week

NHAI officials said that they had already floated tenders and works were delayed due to unavoidable reasons. However, the move has brought cheer among motorists, who find it difficult to ride on the bumpy national highway. NHAI officials said the Chennai bypass road is an important highway that links other national highways such as NH 4 and NH 205. 

Mofussil buses from the Southern and Central districts prefer to take this road to reach the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT). This road was laid about eight years ago and since no maintenance work was done till now, it gradually developed pot holes and pits. Motorists find a ride on this stretch to be a nightmare. Though NHAI had received a lot of complaints about this, it did little to rectify the situation.   

“We could not commence repair work immediately as it involves a lot of procedure like getting nod from Union Ministry for Road and Transport and fund allocation. Finally, we have completed all the formalities and we are ready for taking up repair works,” said an NHAI official. The NHAI across the country was taking up such works and Chennai bypass road was one of them, added the official. 

Motorists have welcomed the NHAI’s move. “The bypass road has witnessed a large number of minor accidents, due to its bad condition. All types of vehicles such as two wheelers and container trucks ply on it in large numbers. So, the officials should constantly monitor the road and undertake minor works at regular intervals,” said M Bose, a motorist and who is taking this road frequently. 

When contacted by DTNext, Athipathi, Project Director, NHAI, Chennai, said, “We will start the spadework by next week. While we will be carrying out repair works, we will add one more layer on the existing road.”