When the proposed 21-km-long Vellore bypass road becomes a reality, residents of the Fort City could get a respite from heavy traffic congestion on the city roads. Officials have sent the bypass alignment to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for approval.
The alignment for the Gudiyatham bypass has also been sent for the Ministry’s nod. This would also help ease traffic congestion on the narrow road that runs through the Gudiyatham town.
The proposed Vellore bypass would start near Vandranthangal on National Highway 234 (Mangaluru – Villupuram Road) and pass through a number of villages. It would cut on the National Highways – 48 near Kandaneri, on the 100th km of NH 48. The bypass then would touch Nelvoy-Pallikonda Road and end near Sathamadurai on NH 234.
On its route, the bypass crossed through nearly 13 villages such as Thirumani, Kothamangalam, Pogai, Sekkanur, Ariyur and Pennathur.
Officials said once the Vellore bypass was ready, persons travelling from Tiruvannamalai towards Bengaluru and from Bengaluru towards Tiruvannamalai and Villupuram could use the bypass without entering Vellore city, thereby avoiding the traffic. Those travelling to the Golden Temple at Sripuram could also use the the bypass.
‘A connecting road’
“In fact, the Vellore bypass will serve as an connecting road for persons travelling from Andhra Pradesh and Bengaluru to southern Tamil Nadu,” an official said.
As of now, Gudiyatham town was choked with traffic as the double lane running through the town was narrow and there was constant flow of heavy traffic. The proposed 7.5-km-long Gudiyatham Bypass would help in reducing traffic congestion.
This bypass would begin at Nellorepettai on NH 234, bypass the town and end at Sethuvandai on NH 234.