The busy junction near Tirunelveli Town Arch, which is being used by a few thousand vehicles, including vehicles of devotees going to Swami Nellaiyappar Temple, is in a worst shape leading to accidents and severe traffic snarl everyday.

The Swami Nellaiyappar High Road and Nellai Kannan Saalai Junction near Tirunelveli Town Arch is a busy spot being used by a few thousand vehicles, including buses proceeding to Tenkasi, Puliyangudi, Cheranmahadevi, Ambasamudram and lorries bringing cargo to traders in Tirunelveli Town and surrounding areas. While the Nellai Kannan Saalai belongs to Tirunelveli Corporation, the Swami Nellaiyappar High Road comes under the Department of Highways.

Even though this spot is in the badly damaged condition with deep craters and potholes, neither the Tirunelveli Corporation nor the Department of Highways is bothered to at least repair this road.

“We are witnessing accidents involving two-wheelers at this spot everyday and at least a couple of bike riders, especially the aged, suffer fall after their bikes with smaller tires hit the potholes. Even cars with low ground clearance suffer loud thud as these vehicles accidentally hit the craters. Even though this danger spot is located just 500 meters away from the Tirunelveli Corporation’s administrative office, the urban civic body is yet to take steps for making this place safe,” says a police constable wearing a mask while regulating traffic near Tirunelveli Town Arch.

“With the dust emanating from these potholes continuously, we’ve to wear mask and goggles whenever we’re deployed here”, he adds.

Autorickshaw driver S. Murugesan of Tirunelveli Town claimed that he had to spend ₹1,050 to repair his vehicle’s front wheel after it hit one of the craters at this spot.

“The craters were filled with wet mix in March. However, a strong drizzle washed away the poor quality wet mix in no time. Apart from repairing this spot, the damaged road near Arunagiri Theatre should also be made motorable,” Mr. Murugesan said.

A senior official in the Tirunelveli Corporation said they had already taken-up this issue with the Department of Highways even as the urban civic body was taking steps to repair the road near Arunagiri Theatre.