TN Highways Department to Take Over Pollachi–Madathukulam NH Stretch for ₹50-Crore Upgrade

After ages of being neglected, this stretch of Pollachi Madathukulam under the National Highway is all set for a revamp. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is handing over the control of this road segment to the Tamil Nadu Highways Department, which has allocated approximately ₹50 crore for a proposal to repair and perform maintenance work.

The 40-km-long section is part of the Pollachi-Udumalpet NH highway corridor that has posed serious safety threats over the years without proper improvements. The sections from Achipatti to Pollachi have been expanded into four lanes, while the segment between Marappettai and Oonjavelaampatti was widened at nearly ₹24.77 crore about four years ago. Nevertheless, the stretches pose hazardous conditions to commuters due to poorly maintained service lanes, encroachments, and broken guardrails.

Accidents reportedly occur regularly along that stretch of highway to respondents. Locals attribute the highway disadvantages to heavy shrub growth in the median section, little lighting on the road, and poor-quality patch repairs: “Here, some temporary resurfacing would have been done in advance of some high-profile visiting, and on the other hand, residents argue that nothing less than a complete reconstruction of the road can deliver safety.”

Under the Bharatmala Pariyojana scheme of the Centre, an as-yet-uncompleted new 131.96 km long four-lane highway will connect Pollachi and Kamalapuram through Madathukulam and Oddanchatram, thus reducing dependence on the old Pollachi-Madathukulam road. Built at an estimated cost of ₹3,649 crore, this road will thus tie the existing route for NHAI to hand over to the State Highways Department.

Confirming the development were NHAI authorities: “We are transferring that old road situated between Madathukulam to Pollachi Achipatti into the State Highways Department control. A joint survey has been completed, and a budget of ₹50 crore has been prepared for maintenance. Once approvals come through, funds will be transferred, and the road will be upgraded.”

The decision is also expected to come as a little relief, though long-awaited, to thousands of daily commuters, especially two-wheeler riders, who face the greatest risks in the stretch. Residents and commuters welcomed this step, hoping that the State Highways Department will ensure quality repairs and durable fixes instead of piecemeal ones.

Soon enough, with this transfer, after the approval of funds, the travelled yet troublesome road would shed the defensive current reputation of one that leads to accidents and finally pave the way for safer travel conditions.