Nightmare for motorists on Chennai - Bengaluru highway - Whats happening now?
If you have thought that travelling along the Chennai- Bengaluru highway or NH48 is a smooth one, then you might be wrong!!
It is worthy to mention that the motorists find it very difficult along this Chennai-Bengaluru highway and they consider it as a nightmare also. There is some delay now in widening of the road in the section of road between Sriperumbudur and Walajapet. The reason is that the state run TPP or thermal power plants do not have sufficient fly ash to supply the road contractor.
It was brought out by a traveller that some parts of the road had service lanes while other parts did not have. The construction of subways has made some sections unusable and heavy vehicles park in the middle of the road. Bitter fact is that travelling along this NH48 would be difficult in the peak hours and at night because smaller vehicles like cars and bikes etc would have to compete for space with the larger vehicles like trucks etc.
It must be recalled that the six laning project began here in 2019 and it should have been completed by 2021. The road widening work was delayed for more than 2years and the reason for that was because of TPPs not providing enough fly ash for the work. Point to be noted is that the fly ash was supplied to cement and brick making units. It was mentioned by a source from NHAI or National Highways Authority of India TPPs purchased fly ash at Rs 205 per tonne and would bear the expenses for transporting the fly ash.
It must be noted that a circular from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change dated 25th January 2016 pointed out that fly ash should be provided free of cost for infrastructural projects. As per an engineer involved in the project it was clear that fly ash was needed as a filling material for ramps of subway and bridges.
According to a heavy vehicle driver it was clear that the road with incomplete stretches did not resemble a national highway. He added that the absence of reflectors and sign boards etc on this road meant drivers faced many issues while driving. He concluded that new drivers would feel unhappy and uncomfortable driving along the road.
Signing of new agreement:
To complete the remaining work on the road using earth, NHAI has signed a new agreement. It must be mentioned that the new contractor P and C Projects Pvt Ltd would complete the work of 16.82 (from Sriperumbudur to Kavarapettai) km of the road within 21 months for around Rs 360 cr.
