With rapid urbanisation and expansion of the city suburbs along Tiruchi-Musiri and Tiruchi-Thuraiyur State Highways, residents and activists have called for the strengthening of No.1 Tollgate- Nochiam section of Tiruchi-Musiri Highway.

The short road stretch of about two km caters to a large number of people commuting to Tiruchi from Musiri, Manachanallur, Thuraiyur, and several other villages. Besides, a large number of heavy vehicles headed to Thuraiyur and beyond go via the road.

The stretch has several sharp and dangerous curves right from No.1 Tollgate, especially after Uttamarkovil road over bridge, and attracts heavy traffic round-the-clock as vehicles headed for Salem and Bengaluru take the highway.

“Though a short stretch, it has become dangerous as vehicles exiting and entering the city come at high speed. With several sharp bends and roadside on this stretch, two-wheeler riders are at the mercy of heavy vehicles. The road should be straightened or widened wherever possible,” said Selvam, a resident of Uttamarkovil.

“This and Nochiyam- Manachanallur road are narrow stretches and motorists face much hardship. They have been catering to heavy traffic and need to be widened urgently,” observed N. Saravanan, a road safety activist and commuter on the route.

Although the Highways Department had relayed the three-km stretch between Nochiam and Manachanallur in 2022, residents say the narrow road is proving to be inadequate to accommodate the increasing traffic.

In a recent response to his petition, the Highways Department had said that a proposal to upgrade the Nochiyam-Manchanallur road would be submitted to the government soon for approval.

Mr. Saravanan pointed out that commuters had long been demanding the widening of the Tiruchi-Musiri section of Tiruchi-Namakkal Highway, which includes No.Tollgate-Nochiyam section. However, the Highways Department maintained that there was little scope for widening the highway as it cut through wetlands and irrigation canals.