NHAI to construct five foot overbridges on Chennai-Bengaluru Highway to prevent accidents

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has proposed to construct a foot overbridge (FOB) at five identified ‘black spots’, which are referred to as accident-prone spots, on the Chennai – Bengaluru Highway (NH 48) in Vellore to prevent accidents, mainly involving pedestrians.

NHAI officials said that the new bridges were necessitated, especially after the growth of habitations and commercial establishments on both sides of the carriageway. The growth of shops that sell essential commodities has made the movement of people across the stretch more frequent. “The new bridge will be a major relief for walkers, especially senior citizens and women, to cross the stretch safely, especially during rush hour,” said S. Prema, a resident.

NHAI officials said that the identified ‘black spots’ that will get new FOBs are at Poigai village, Vasur village, Melmanavur village, Vallalar Nagar and Rangapuram on the stretch.

Vellore Corporation officials said that Poigai has a government veterinary hospital and a government industrial training institute (ITI); Melmanavur village has the largest Sri Lankan Rehabilitation camp in the district; Vasur has the newly opened hillock temple for Lord Murugan that attracts a large number of devotees, and Rangapuram, Vallalar Nagar that comes under Corporation limits witness regular movement of people across the stretch.

As per the plan, the new bridge will have around 20 staircases on each side along the service lane of the stretch. Each facility, on an average, will cost around ₹1.8 crore. Shelters will be provided on the bridge with lights and CCTV cameras. Both sides of the bridge will be fenced to prevent any accidental fall on the carriageway below the new facility, and ramps will be provided for persons with disabilities. Lifts will also be provided, mostly for senior citizens and women. Work for the new facility will begin in the coming months.  

At present, pedestrians have to use small openings along the steel median between the service lane and carriageway to cross the stretch. Most of these openings are located near bus stops on the stretch. NHAI officials said that the new bridges will ensure safe crossing on the stretch by pedestrians without affecting the existing traffic flow on the route. As per norms, each vehicular underpass or a FOB, on an average, on the highway should be built at a distance of 1.5 km to help ensure safe crossing.

Also, such facilities can come up at key intersections, crowded spots like food joints on the highway. Currently, the stretch between Krishnagiri and Walajapet (Ranipet district), a distance of 148 km, has 17 such underpasses between Walajah and Krishnagiri.