Copyright thehindu
Portions of the North Bypass and other roads ridden with potholes in Tirunelveli Town have been repaired ahead of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s proposed visit. After unveiling the statue of his father and late Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi at Kovilpatti around 9.30 p.m. on Tuesday, Mr. Stalin is expected pass through Tirunelveli via North Bypass. He will participate at a government function at Ananthapuram near Aayikudi near Tenkasi at 11.30 a.m. on Wednesday. Since the Chief Minister is likely to traverse through the North Bypass and the pothole-ridden roads of Tirunelveli, these stretches are being repaired in a hurry since Sunday. The medians are being given a fresh coat of paint amidst sporadic spells of drizzle. The badly damaged bridge across the Tamirabharani is being repaired with concrete mixture and the bitumen. The defunct street lights are being replaced to ensure that the stretch is illuminated well during the Chief Minister’s journey at night. Tale of two roads While the 3-km-long North Bypass is carefully repaired and re-laid at some spots, the 3-km-long South Bypass has been presenting a picture of neglect at Vannarpet flyover. “The Department of Highways should extend its care to the South Bypass, which is in pathetic state. Even as the taxpaying public were forced to travel along these badly damaged roads for several months, the Chief Minister’s visit makes the official machinery work overtime,” said Thatchai N. Ganesa Raja, Tirunelveli district secretary of AIADMK. After repeated appeals, the big craters along the badly-laid South Bypass have been filled while the smaller potholes have been ignored. However, the stretch between Vannarpet flyover, including the service road in front of the BSNL General Manager’s Office is still in the worst shape. Consequently, this unmotorable danger zone witnesses accidents involving motorcycles and autorickshaws every day, he said. “The badly damaged road near Tirunelveli Town Arch has now been repaired as the Chief Minister will cross this point also. The underground sewage overflowing along the South Car Street has been attended now,” Mr. Ganesa Raja said.
