The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) said the overlaying work of the 180 km Virudhunagar-Kanyakumari four lane national highway is likely to begin at the start of May and will likely be completed by October 20.

According to NHAI, milling could be planned for 1.5 km a day, whereas relaying could be done only for 1.2 km a day. NHAI said that work on studs, thermoplastic painting and road furniture is also planned.

The authority was replying to a Right to Information (RTI) question by R Pandiaraja. On questions pertaining to improving the green cover along the national highway, NHAI stated that it has targeted to plant 583 trees every kilometre, subject to the availability of vacant spaces. There is no plan to plant trees on the median.

Pandiaraja said NHAI and the contractors concerned for the maintenance of the sections of NH 44 between Virudhunagar and Kanyakumari should make use of the night lockdown and other restrictions on the movement of vehicles in view of curtailing the second wave of Covid-19 to expedite and complete relaying work as soon as possible.

The activist also stressed on the implementation of adequate safety measures and placement of proper signboards to indicate that work is in progress to avert accidents on the busy highway in case of diversions.

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