CKICP Ph-2 targets to upgrade key state highways in Industrial Corridor

The second phase of the Chennai-Kanyakumari industrial corridor project (CKICP) has designated three major state highways for a significant enhancement in infrastructure.The state highways department will enlist organisations to create a comprehensive project report (CPR) along with a feasibility study for the development of 115 km-long industrial connectivity corridors in the central region that falls within the scope of CKICP's influence.The identified roads for this enhancement are as follows: Trichy-Thuraiyur (SH 62) in Trichy district, Tiruvarur-Mannargudi-Muthupet (SH 202) in Tiruvarur district, and a section of Pudukottai-Sethubavachatram (SH 71) in Pudukottai and Thanjavur districts.In the case of the Trichy-Thuraiyur highway, the current alignment will be maintained. While Manachanallur town already boasts a bypass, sources from CKICP have indicated the possibility of adding a new bypass at Pulivalam to avoid congested villages. The two-lane highway is set to be expanded into a four-lane stretch. As part of the project, consideration will be given to the required land extent, particularly concerning any forested areas. This road expansion initiative will provide a better market access for shallots and tapioca farmers to sell their produce. An official source mentioned that the preliminary project cost and the necessity of any bypass roads would be outlined in the CPR, based on the volume of vehicular traffic anticipated. Additionally, a 32 km stretch of the highway, spanning from Nochiyam on the outskirts of Trichy city to the Pirivu road roundabout near Thuraiyur town, is being considered for a similar upgrade.A road safety activist, N Saravanan, proposed that after the widening project is completed, authorities should contemplate rerouting Trichy-Salem buses via Thuraiyur for improved transportation options.