Trichy’s Racecourse Road to Get ₹2.1 Crore Widening Project

Trichy’s Racecourse Road at Mannarpuram, a long-pending work to widen a narrow stretch, is funded with ₹2.1 crore by the state highways department. The change is intended to reduce congestion and increase safety for students at nearby colleges along the heavily traveled road.

The extension, which will be widened from Trichy-Madurai National Highway from 7 m to 10 m, will be developed under the Comprehensive Road Infrastructure Development Programme (CRIDP). Besides, a 650-metre-long footpath will be constructed between the Khajamalai bus stop and the SBI office to facilitate the safe movement of pedestrians.

A Much-Needed Upgrade:

The 3-km stretch surrounding the district sports complex at Khajamalai has already been expanded and walking and bicycle tracks laid. But the 1-km stretch leading up to the protest site from Mannarpuram traffic signal junction and SBI branch office is narrow and crowded, adding to the travails of students and daily commuters.

The stretch is used by students from Govt Law College, Thanthai Periyar Govt Arts College and Khajamalai campus of Bharathidasan University to reach their institutions. Heavy trucks that come to the stretch to reach godowns in the vicinity add to the woes.

Encroachments to Be Removed, Construction Set to Start Soon:

Minor encroachments along the road will be removed to help in the widening process, officials confirmed. A tender has gone out and work is likely to start soon.

Residents of Khajamalai, too, are demanding better street lighting, and a median to ensure free movement of pedestrians and vehicles. “The streetlights only run on one side of the road at the moment. They must be shifted to a median for uniform illumination,” said H Ghouse Baig, a local.

When the project is completed, the thoroughfare will offer a safer, more accessible route for commuters and students alike.