The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has allocated Rs 80 million to repair and enhance safety on a 60-kilometer stretch of the Chennai-Bengaluru highway between Maduravoyal and Kancheepuram. This decision follows an increase in accidents, criticism, and appeals from Chief Minister MK Stalin and DMK MPs. The section, plagued by potholes, inadequate lighting, and hazardous conditions due to on-going road widening and poorly planned diversions, has faced delays in its six-lane expansion.

Motorists frequently encounter dangerous conditions due to the absence of proper barricades, which causes vehicles to skid when crossing certain sections. Service roads, burdened with diverted traffic, are lined with cement barricades, stones, and drums that often lack reflective tape or cat’s eyes, making them almost invisible at night.

S Yuvraj of the Tamil Nadu Lorry Owners Association, which filed a police complaint regarding these issues, highlighted that despite NHAI collecting Rs 1.40 billion annually in tolls from the Sriperumbudur and Kancheepuram plazas, maintenance investments have been minimal. He pointed out that street lights are lacking on these stretches, and non-functional high-mast lamps further reduce nighttime visibility.

NHAI project director Savithri Devi stated that the six-laning work between Sriperumbudur and Kancheepuram is scheduled for completion by mid-2025. Toll fees have not been raised since March 2023, owing to the pending work. The road widening is divided into two sections: a 34-kilometre stretch between Maduravoyal and Sriperumbudur, with 14 kilometres already six-laned, and the section from Sriperumbudur to Kancheepuram, where work was halted due to contractor disputes over fly ash procurement. This issue has now been resolved, and new contractors are set to resume work next year.

For maintenance, the initial 34-kilometer stretch was handed over to the state highways department, with NHAI providing a fixed deposit for its upkeep. NHAI is also investing Rs 10.3 million to install lights and rubber speed breakers. For the remaining section, Rs 70 million has been earmarked for short-term maintenance, including road relaying and pothole repairs, which is expected to commence next month, according to NHAI officials.