NHAI and Railways to Decongest Trichy’s G Corner Junction with New Underpass
The G Corner Junction in Trichy, Tamil Nadu, long plagued by traffic congestion and safety issues, is set for significant improvements, thanks to a collaborative effort between the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Indian Railways. The solution is the construction of a vehicular underpass (VuP) that will alleviate long-standing traffic bottlenecks, particularly benefitting vehicles approaching the Ponmalai railway workshop.
This initiative comes after a joint inspection by Trichy divisional railway manager M S Anbalagan and NHAI’s project director Praveen Kumar, under the supervision of Trichy MP Durai Vaiko. G Corner Junction, situated along the Chennai-Trichy-Madurai National Highway (NH), has been a focal point of accidents and traffic woes for years. Since the NH was completed around 15 years ago, there has been no dedicated service road or underpass for vehicles accessing the Ponmalai railway workshop. As a result, vehicles are often forced to travel on the wrong side of the road, leading to both inconvenience and accidents. Tragically, the junction has seen seven fatal accidents over the past three years, with railway employees bearing the brunt of the design flaws.
In a bid to rectify these issues, NHAI has announced that it will construct a VuP at G Corner, which will span across approximately 3,100 square metres of railway land. The new underpass will ensure smoother passage for vehicles, especially heavy trucks, approaching the workshop. According to NHAI’s Praveen Kumar, a preliminary design for the underpass has already been developed, and a fresh survey will commence next week to determine the exact extent of land needed. “We will start a fresh survey to ascertain the extent of railway land required for the new underpass. Service roads will also be restructured to ensure that vehicles from the TVS tollgate can access the junction without entering G Corner. This way, vehicles heading towards Chennai and Madurai can bypass the junction altogether,” Kumar explained during the inspection.
Railway officials have also confirmed that they will facilitate the land handover, recognising that railway staff are most affected by the design deficiencies. The collaborative approach between NHAI and the Railways will include rectifying the current NH design to create a safer, more efficient route for all road users. MP Durai Vaiko, who played a key role in coordinating the efforts, reassured the public that steps would be taken to ensure timely funding for the project. “I have recorded the suggestions and demands of both NHAI and the railways. I will coordinate with senior bureaucrats at the Union government level to ensure that funds are allocated as soon as possible,” he said, emphasising the urgency of resolving the ongoing traffic issues at G Corner.
Additionally, the proposed VuP will feature a height clearance of 18 feet, accommodating heavy vehicles such as trucks and transporters that regularly access the Ponmalai railway workshop. This will not only improve traffic flow but also enhance safety, reducing the likelihood of accidents at the busy junction. This development represents a crucial step towards addressing the growing concerns around Trichy’s transport infrastructure. Once completed, the underpass will undoubtedly ease traffic congestion and reduce the accident rate at one of the city’s most critical junctions. Local residents, commuters, and businesses alike will benefit from improved connectivity and safer roads, while the long-awaited solution to G Corner’s traffic woes will finally be within reach. With officials committed to addressing both the immediate and long-term needs of the area, this collaborative project between the Railways and NHAI sets a strong precedent for the efficient resolution of infrastructure challenges in the future.