Tiruchi Highways Road Delay Sparks Protest Over Service Roads
A Group of Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) cadres, along with members of various residents’ welfare associations, staged a protest in Tiruchi demanding the swift construction of service roads along the city stretch of the Tiruchi-Thanjavur National Highway. The demonstration, which saw approximately 35 participants detained by the police, called attention to the ongoing delays in building the much-needed service roads between Palpannai and Thuvakudi.The protesters expressed their dissatisfaction over the slow progress of the service road construction and called for immediate land acquisition and execution of the project.
They strongly opposed the decision to reduce the service road’s width to 33 meters, a change that contradicted the original plan of 45 meters as directed by the Madras High Court in 2019. Protestors urged the Highways Department to withdraw the affidavit filed before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, which proposed the narrower road width.Local residents, deeply invested in the project, voiced concerns that a reduced width would not only affect daily commuters but also hamper the long-term development of the area. The protest, led by CPI(M) leaders, sought to highlight the importance of completing the roadworks as per the earlier specifications. These leaders included the Kattur Area Secretary and the Urban District Secretary of the CPI(M), who have been vocal about their concerns regarding urban planning and infrastructure development in the city.
The protesters’ demands are particularly pressing, given the growing population and increasing traffic in the area, which necessitates the timely completion of road networks to ensure smooth and safe transportation. The residents argue that without proper service roads, the highway would be more prone to accidents and congestion, further exacerbating the challenges faced by commuters.Authorities, however, remain firm on their stance, stating that the current project proposal meets the minimum requirements set by the government, though the protestors disagree.
With growing unrest among local residents, the issue continues to attract attention from city planners, officials, and political leaders, who will likely have to address the concerns raised in this protest in the coming days.The authorities detained the protesters at Kattur, a key location for the protest, before releasing them later in the day. Despite the setback, the protestors’ message is clear—faster and more effective action is needed to ensure that the service roads are built as per the original plan. The outcome of this protest will likely influence the pace and design of road construction in the region.
