Pollachi Madathukulam highway transfer to state for upgrade
Pollachi–Madathukulam stretch of the national highway is set to be transferred from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to the Tamil Nadu Highways Department. The move comes after years of poor upkeep and rising safety concerns on the route.A joint survey conducted by both agencies has paved the way for a detailed proposal to repair and maintain the road at an estimated cost of Rs 50 crore. Officials confirmed that once approval is secured, funds will be transferred and upgrade work will commence.
For years, motorists and two-wheeler riders using the corridor have complained of narrow service lanes, damaged medians, and missing guardrails, which have made the stretch highly accident-prone. Encroachments on pedestrian paths and overgrown vegetation have added to the hazards, while patchwork repairs carried out in the past offered little more than temporary relief. Residents also criticised the practice of resurfacing roads only ahead of high-profile visits, calling instead for long-term, sustainable solutions.
Despite portions of the Pollachi–Udumalpet highway being expanded into four lanes in recent years, including an upgrade between Marappettai and Oonjavelaampatti at a cost of Rs 24.77 crore, safety challenges persist. Experts point out that poor design integration and inadequate upkeep have undermined the benefits of these investments.
Under the Bharatmala Pariyojana programme, a new four-lane highway is nearing completion, connecting Pollachi and Kamalapuram via Madathukulam and Oddanchatram. With the new corridor built at a cost of Rs 3,649 crore and spanning nearly 132 km, the existing Pollachi–Madathukulam road will soon lose its status as a national highway and be maintained at the state level. Transport planners argue that this transition offers an opportunity to reimagine the road not merely as a transit link, but as a safer, eco-friendly urban connector. Experts have recommended that upcoming works focus on climate-resilient engineering, improved drainage systems, and better pedestrian infrastructure to ensure the highway can withstand changing weather patterns and support inclusive mobility.
Local commuters, particularly two-wheeler riders, have welcomed the move, expressing hope that the long-neglected road will finally receive sustained attention. Traders and transport operators also noted that poor road conditions have slowed traffic and increased vehicle maintenance costs, underlining the economic stakes tied to road infrastructure. Officials maintain that once funding is cleared, the repair and maintenance programme will provide relief to daily users. While the transfer of responsibility may take some time to be formalised, the prospect of a Rs 50 crore overhaul signals a long-awaited shift towards safer and more sustainable connectivity in the region.
