Battered Karur Bypass makes it a back-breaking jurney for motorists and bus commuters

The Karur Bypass, from Salai Road junction to Tiruchi-Karur Highway junction in the city, which was promoted as a “smart road” by the Tiruchi Corporation a few years ago, has been battered by recent rain.

The Karur Bypass, from Salai Road junction to Tiruchi-Karur Highway junction in the city, which was promoted as a “smart road” by the Tiruchi Corporation a few years ago, has been battered by recent rain.

To showcase as a model for city roads, the Corporation converted the entire 1.5 km stretch into a smart road in 2020. While a portion of the stretch from the Salai Road junction was converted as a four-lane road with a median, walkways were formed on both sides. An underground duct was created thereby providing an option to Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation to carry cables and wires. About ₹8 crore was spent for developing the stretch.

The road was laid almost similar to the level of laying highway roads. However, the erosion of the road within a few months had raised concerns among the road users. The Corporation subsequently covered the erosion with patchwork. But deep potholes continued to appear at various points.

The condition of t he road worsened after the recent rain in the city. The road surface has been washed away at several places. Ever since the Fort Station Road was closed, the Karur Bypass has become the main road for vehicles plying between Chathiram Bus Stand and Thillai Nagar.

Even those travelling by buses have complained that the bumby ride many times becomes a back-breaking journey. “The motorists tend to drive a little fast on the road. But the potholes have not only put the brakes but also trouble us. Regular users negotiate the potholes carefully. But unfamiliar users find it difficult,” said M. Sakthivel of Cantonment.

Motorists have urged the civic body to relay the road as provided a crucial link in the region. It should be restored temporarily at least with patchwork.