4 km stretch on key road laid without milling despite HC order

According to the contractor, who undertook the work, the stretch would extend from the national highway junction near the Collector’s office at Sathuvachari to Konavattam via the old bus stand.

Asked whether he was informed by any officer regarding the court order, he replied in the negative and added that the order pertained only to roads inside the town.

However, when it was pointed out that the stretch, he undertook, passes through Kagithapatarai, Christian Medical College (CMC) nurses’ hostel and CMC Hospital, all on the arterial Arcot road, the contractor was speechless.

When contacted, the Vellore corporation officials said the road was being laid by the State Highways Department and added that the senior officials of the department were aware of the court order as it was informed by the Collector A Shanmuga Sundaram at a road safety awareness meet held recently.

However, locals at Kagithapatarai locality were displeased when it was informed that the road would likely be dug up again for stormwater drains for the smart city project.

Narasimhan, a resident, said,”If the road is dug for SWD work and relaid, the height will increase as the present stretch has been laid without scrapping off the old one. As a result, houses will be flooded when water flows down from the hill.”