The ₹90 crore Sathuvachari - VIT High Road, off Chennai - Bengaluru Highway (NH 48) in Vellore, will be opened for public use next month as the State Highways has speeded up the road laying work of the multi-crore project.

Highways officials said that the new stretch, which is a four-lane route, between Sathuvachari and Kangeyanallur village near VIT campus was aimed at decongesting Katpadi and surrounding areas from the existing traffic congestion “Major portion of the road work, including construction of bridge across Palar River has been completed. Electrical works to install streetlights on the new bridge is underway. The entire stretch will be ready soon,” R. Poovarasan, Assistant Engineer (AE), Department of Highways, told The Hindu.

Of the total 3.2 km, the State Highways has to complete 950 metres of road work that involves levelling of the carriageway with blue metal and bitumen. Currently, the final phase of levelling near VIT is being done. “The new stretch will cut travel time by at least 30 minutes to reach Bengaluru Highway from Katpadi. At present, motorists have to halt at five traffic intersections in the area to reach the highway,” said R. Santhosh, a motorist.

The Sathuvachari - VIT Road is 15 metres wide. As per estimates, once completed, the new stretch can be used by at least 17,250 vehicles every day. 

The roadwork also involved construction of two minor bridges and 20 culverts on the route. The new four-lane bridge, which is part of the new road, is 475 metres long and 15 metres wide. the bridge has been built at a height of 20 ft from the dry riverbed.

For residents and motorists, the new stretch will provide the shortest route to travel between Katpadi and Vellore. Vehicles can take this route to reach Chennai - Bengaluru Highway, bypassing congested Katpadi flyovers.