NHAI to close gaps on median along Chennai- Bengaluru Highway to prevent jaywalking

NHAI closes illegal gaps on Chennai-Bengaluru Highway to prevent accidents, with 30 identified for closure.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Thursday began the work to close illegal gaps between the median along the Chennai-Bengaluru Highway (NH 44) in Vellore to prevent accidents.

The move comes after two jaywalkers were killed after getting hit by vehicles on the elevated corridor on the stretch, between the Collectorate and Green Circle, a few days ago. “Jaywalkers also sneak in through gaps on the median. We have identified such large gaps, and steps have been taken to close them...,” an official of the NHAI told The Hindu.

On Wednesday evening, Collector V.R. Subbulaxmi, along with police and NHAI officials, inspected the spots where pedestrians had been killed. She directed the officials to take safety measures, and close such gaps.

The police said that as per records, at least 10 persons were killed on the stretch in over a month.

Road-users pointed out that jaywalking posed a risk to them. Moreover, many omnibuses between Chennai and Bangalore halt on the carriageway near such illegal crossings to pick and drop long distance travellers. “During weekends, omnibuses wait patiently to pick passengers, especially near Konavattam, on the stretch. Ironically, the new bus terminus is only around 500 metres from such illegal pickup spots,” K. Vetri, a motorist, said.

At present, officials further said, the highway between Krishnagiri and Walajapet (Ranipet district), is maintained by L&T on behalf of the NHAI on a 30-year agreement. A complete relay of the stretch has been undertaken for the past few weeks. Work includes relaying of bitumen carriageway to a height of 40 mm, replacement of damaged steel median, road markings, and removal of bushes on space around median. 

The NHAI officials further said that around 30 illegal gaps on the median along the stretch between Konavattam and Perumugai, and border villages in Vellore had been identified for closure to prevent jaywalking. The gaps will be closed with steel railings.