The state highways department has officially commenced the widening of a critical 1.2-kilometre stretch of APK Main Road in Madurai, an initiative expected to significantly enhance connectivity within the region. This project, which will transform the existing two-lane road into a four-lane thoroughfare, aims to facilitate smoother transit between the Madurai-Tuticorin Road and the Madurai Airport Road. With an estimated cost of Rs 9.41 crore, the expansion is anticipated to be completed within the next two to three months.
The APK Main Road serves as a crucial link for vehicles travelling from southern districts such as Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli, and Tenkasi, providing a vital route from the Madurai-Tuticorin highway to the Madurai Airport through Perungudi. Currently, the road’s inadequacies, including potholes and insufficient lighting, have posed considerable challenges for commuters. The road, originally 11 metres wide, will be expanded to 19.2 metres, incorporating a 1.2-metre-wide median equipped with LED lighting to enhance visibility during night-time travel. The divisional engineer of the state highways department, emphasised the project’s significance, highlighting its role in improving connectivity for the southern districts. The project also includes the redevelopment of the existing culvert. In response to the removal of several trees along the route, the highways department has allocated Rs 33 lakh to the forest department to facilitate the planting of 100 saplings for each tree felled. Additionally, a 200-metre rainwater drainage system will be established near the Ambedkar statue to manage runoff effectively.
However, local activists have raised concerns about the project’s impact on environmental and safety aspects. A road safety advocate, has highlighted issues related to inadequate lighting near the Mandela Nagar signal, urging authorities to address these concerns. While acknowledging the need for road expansion, Kumar also stressed the importance of compensating for the loss of mature trees, some of which are 20 to 30 years old, through effective reforestation efforts.
