Uncertainty prevails over alternative road planned along Uyyakondan riverbank

Uncertainty prevails over the proposed construction of a new road between MGR Statue Junction and Sunnambukaranpatti, along the banks of Uyyakondan river in Tiruchi.

The road was designed as an alternative to the heavily trafficked Vayalur Road in the city during the previous DMK regime, following persistent complaints from residents about severe traffic congestion on the narrow road from Puthur to Vayalur.

The road was also expected to serve as an alternative route to the Tiruchi-Kuzhumani-Jeeyapuram Road (MDR-461), a major district road, as well as the Allithurai-Thogamalai Road (MDR-12).

It will connect the city to the inner link road developed by Tiruchi Corporation along the banks of Koraiyar and Kudamuritti rivers and the semi-ring road to be developed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) connecting major national highways around the city.

The Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the road was prepared by the Projects Wing of the Highways Department, which was expected to carry out the project initially. It was later decided that the road would be developed by the Water Resources Department (WRD), which has authority over the embankments along the river.

While WRD sources said that administrative sanction is awaited for the project, locals wanted the project to be implemented quickly to relieve congestion on Vayalur Road.

“This is a much-needed alternative route for people living along Vayalur Road, which is facing severe traffic congestion; even pedestrians cannot cross this road. The existing narrow road is already used by a majority of people. It will be very beneficial if it is widened,” observed S. Pushpavanam, a local resident and secretary of the Tamil Nadu Consumer Protection Council.

Change in government

However, doubts remain among a section of the public. Farmer leader N. Rajendran of Vayalur said, “With the change of government, we are not sure whether the project will get approval now. But development of the road is very important. At the same time, care should be taken that the project does not affect or reduce the width of Uyyakondan canal, which is an irrigation source.”

The new two-lane road with a width of 7.5 meters is proposed to be developed at a total cost of ₹ 186 crore, including around ₹ 65 crore earmarked for land acquisition. The project will require the acquisition of approximately 40,000 m2 of land at several locations along the river bank.

From Uyyakondan, an elevated structure has been planned along the Puthur Weir and aqueduct, the confluence of Koraiyar and Kudamuritti rivers, and a high-level rotary road connecting the new link road built by Tiruchi Corporation from Panjapur (near Integrated Bus Stand) to Karur Expressway along the Koraiyar embankment has been planned.