State Highways requests NHAI to construct vehicular underpass to access VIT High Road

The State Highways Department has written to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), requesting the national agency to construct a vehicular underpass near the Collectorate to connect the newly opened Sathuvachari - VIT High Road with Chennai - Bengaluru Highway (NH 48) in Vellore town.

Officials of State Highways Department, which maintains the ₹90-crore VIT Road, said that the new four-lane stretch connects Sathuvachari and Kangeyanallur village near VIT campus. It helped decongest Katpadi and surrounding villages. “The proposed vehicular underpass at the intersection of these two stretches will help motorists travel safely without obstructing traffic movement on the national highway. In this regard, a request has been made to NHAI,” R. Poovarasan, Assistant Engineer (AE), State Highways, told The Hindu.

, Motorists travel two km to take a ‘U’ turn to reach VIT Road, after the opening of the Sathuvachari - VIT High Road.

They said that access to new VIT Road still remains a challenge for them. Highways officials said that the necessity for a vehicular underpass near VIT Road was highlighted at a review meeting on traffic, law and order that was chaired by Collector P.S. Leena Alex at the Collectorate recently. “The service lane of the national highway is narrow due to encroachments. The new underpass will provide direct access to VIT Road and prevent a long detour for senior citizens and women,” said G. Manjunath, a motorist.

NHAI officials said that the proposal to construct a new vehicular underpass was under consideration. A detailed feasibility study will be taken up to analyse various factors, including traffic management, flow of vehicles on the route, prevention of accidents, and alternative routes.