Highways Dept begins widening of Samayapuram-Manachanallur Road

The comprehensive road infrastructure development programme (CRIDP) has initiated the civil work to expand the narrow Samayapuram-Manachanallur Road, as announced by the state highways department. A recent survey conducted by the department highlighted the necessity of widening the major district road (MDR) due to the increased volume of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The project, estimated at a cost of 5.5 crore, aims to enhance the road's capacity and accommodate the growing transportation needs. The civil work primarily focuses on widening the carriageway from its current width of 5.5m to 7m. Additionally, the existing culverts along the 3.6km stretch will be expanded to align with the road widening. This road serves as a convenient route for devotees traveling from Karur, Namakkal, and Coimbatore districts to reach the Samayapuram Mariamman temple, offering an alternative to the Trichy-Chennai National Highway. Furthermore, local devotees from Thuraiyur and Musiri towns also utilise this road. According to a highways department official, the widening work and carriageway re-laying are expected to be completed within two months. Subsequent development projects will be undertaken based on the road's usage and requirements. The local residents have expressed their support for this proposal and have emphasised the importance of installing adequate streetlights along the stretch to ensure the safety of devotees. The officials have taken note of this request and intend to inform the local authorities about the need for additional lighting infrastructure.