Public safety is under threat as severe soil erosion has created hazardous pits along the connecting roads of the Pattinamkathan railway overpass in Ramanathapuram district.

Commuters and residents raised alarms, fearing that the neglected infrastructure could lead to fatal accidents.

The railway overpass, a critical link on the East Coast Road (ECR) connecting Ramanathapuram to Thoothukudi, has seen significant deterioration in recent days.

According to the locals, heavy rainfall during the last monsoon season triggered extensive soil erosion on both the northern and southern approach ramps of the bridge.

The erosion has eaten away the road shoulders, leaving behind deep, gaping holes adjacent to the asphalt.

The danger is particularly acute after sunset. With limited visibility, vehicles, especially two-wheelers, face the danger of falling into these pits.

“As a primary route for commercial transport between Ramanathapuram and Thoothukudi, the road handles heavy volumes of traffic daily, increasing the likelihood of a mishap,” said the residents.

“The pits are right on the edge of the road. If a driver has to swerve to avoid an oncoming vehicle at night, there is no safety margin. It’s a disaster waiting to happen,” said a commuter.

Motorists called on the National Highways Authority (NHAI) to take immediate action.

The commuters have demanded the NHAI officials to conduct an urgent site inspection of the overpass and its connecting roads. The primary work has to be the execution of permanent repairs to reinforce the embankments and fill the pits.

Additionally, periodic maintenance should be ensured to maintain the structural integrity of the ECR bypass.