Potholed Service Lane Near CMC Ranipet on Chennai-Bengaluru Highway Endangers Motorists

quick Summary

• The pot-holed service lane on Chennai-Bengaluru Highway (NH 48) near Christian Medical College (CMC) at puttuthakku village, Arcot town in Ranipet poses risks to motorists.
• Heavy downpour over the past few weeks has caused notable damage, resulting in worn-out bitumen and hazardous driving conditions.
• The service lane is 20-ft wide, 300 meters long with a stormwater drain on one side.it serves as a temporary diversion for vehicles due to ongoing construction of an ₹18-crore vehicular underpass aimed at addressing a “black spot” known for frequent accidents.
• Motorists are concerned about delayed maintenance despite norms requiring patchwork every six months. bitumen was reportedly washed away during the northeast monsoon of 2024.
• NHAI has stated that steps will be taken to repair the damaged stretch towards Bengaluru soon.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The damaged state of the service lane highlights concerns regarding infrastructure maintenance standards on national highways, especially under challenging weather conditions. While ongoing construction projects like black spot intervention through an ₹18-crore vehicular underpass showcase proactive steps to enhance safety,diverting traffic onto inadequate choice routes undermines these efforts and endangers road users.

Regular and timely upkeep is critical when diversions are necessary; adhering to established maintenance norms could mitigate risks and improve public trust in NHAI’s stewardship. Additionally, quick resolution would be particularly vital here given this location’s importance as part of NH 48-a major arterial route linking two prominent cities-and proximity to institutions like CMC which serve high volumes of emergency services.

Read more: The Hindu
Image source: The Hindu