Motorists taking Grand Southern Trunk (GST) Road, between Irumbuliyur and Peerkankaranai, complain of poor illumination. The stretch from Irumbuliyur bus stop to Peerkankaranai traffic signal is plunged in darkness. A lone high-mast lamp stands there.
The stretch comes under the jurisdiction of the State Highways Department. S. Vijay, a resident of Irumbuliyur, says, “Due to lack of lights, the risk of collision is high.
A number of vehicles bound for southern districts including Tiruchchirapalli, Madurai, Tindivanam and Thanjavur pass through the stretch every day. At night, the highway witnesses a huge volume of traffic. Heavy vehicles, including container lorries, fuel tankers and trailer vehicles take the stretch to reach other parts of the State. The high-beam from headlights of vehicles coming in the opposite side blurs the vision of motorists.”
There are only a few commercial establishments on both sides of the Highway. So, lighting from these establishments are not sufficient to help motorists overcome the problem of poor illumination.
“Speed breakers with reflectors should be placed on the stretch,” adds Vijay.
A State Highways Department official says , “Steps will be taken to provide lighting at the earliest.”