The State Highways department (NH wing) has commenced land acquisition for the construction of a new greenfield four-way bypass road connecting Virattipattu and Nagamalai Pudukottai. Estimated at Rs.260 crore, the 3.53-kilometer road will originate a few meters from the end of the grade separator.
This bypass will offer commuters from HMS Colony, Achampattu, Virattipattu, and Nagamalai Pudukottai an alternative route to the Kochi-Bodi national highway, bypassing the congested Kanyakumari-Bengaluru highway. The existing narrow two-way road linking the city to the Kochi-Bodi NH passes through residential areas of Virattipathu and Achampattu, which are expected to experience relief from congestion upon the completion of the new road.
“A four-way road is imperative as the current two-way road witnesses numerous minor accidents due to escalating traffic,” mentioned a senior NH official. Furthermore, the bypass is anticipated to streamline the transportation of goods, particularly spices, fruits, and vegetables from Theni into the city.
Initially proposed in 2016-17, the project encountered delays primarily due to intricate and costly land acquisition processes. Out of the total 260 crore budget, around 96 crore has been earmarked for acquiring approximately 10 acres of land required. The district administration has expedited the land acquisition process.
“A specialized team comprising officials from revenue and NH was constituted by the district administration to accelerate land acquisition, as the projected completion time is December 2025. Additionally, we have cleared most of the barren and unassessed land (poramboke land) associated with the project,” stated the NH official.
Some residents of Achampattu and Virattipattu have expressed concerns about the new road intersecting Kiruthumal and Madakulam channels, which are already polluted.
“The river is already in a deteriorated state. Construction of this road will obstruct the channel for at least a few months. Hopefully, it will be restored later without disrupting its natural flow,” remarked P. Balasubramaniam, a resident of Achampattu residing along the river’s boundaries between Madurai corporation and Achampattu panchayat. NH officials reassured that three minor bridges have been incorporated into the project design to bypass channels like Kiruthumal and Madakulam without hindering their natural flow.
“Furthermore, a small flyover with an underpass to navigate the Bengaluru-Kanyakumari Highway near Nagamalai Pudukottai is also part of the project,” added the official.
Concerns have also been raised about potential loss of vegetation, including coconut farms and agricultural land. However, some residents argue that the project will present economic opportunities for farmers considering the diminishing water availability in the region.
Nonetheless, M. Raj Kumar, a traffic activist, expressed concerns that farmers are more inclined to sell their land than pursue agriculture due to reduced water availability after the Kirthumal channel dried up in the last two decades.