Safety Audit Conducted on Trichy-Karur National Highway

A joint safety audit was recently conducted by technical experts from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on the Trichy-Karur national highway. The audit aimed to address a hazardous section near the Thirupparaithurai bus stop. Located around 15 km from Trichy city, this bus stop serves approximately 1,500 daily commuters, primarily students from five different schools. During peak hours, students have to navigate the highway to access their buses. Locals had long called for safety improvements following a major accident in 1990 that claimed the lives of eight children. The safety audit, conducted by NHAI, involved feedback from local residents and seeks to enhance safety measures to prevent accidents. The audit aims to provide suitable solutions to ensure the safety of students and other commuters in the area, such as the potential development of a vehicular underpass (VuP) with service roads to reduce traffic congestion near the school zone. NHAI is urged not to delay this vital solution due to funding constraints. The inspection was conducted by the concessionaire T K Toll Road Private Limited, along with an independent consultant appointed by NHAI.