Conservationists question the Highways department for constructing a 7.5 metre road inside the Vaigai near the Thathaneri flyover without seeking approval from stakeholders.
For over two weeks, the Highways department has been creating a trench-like structure as part of preliminary work for construction of a retaining wall. The cost of the project has been estimated at ₹ 3 crore. An official said the road connecting Sellur with Kulamangalam road is being widened to prevent accidents near the flyover. “Several people who drive along the banks of the Vaigai from Goripalayalam, Alwarpuram and other areas, must take a turn at the roundabout and turn left to reach Sellur. Several accidents occur along this stretch because motorists arriving from Thathaneri often go fast on the flyover. By providing an alternative route under the bridge, we will save lives,” he said.
However, T. Subramanian, Executive Engineer, Public Works Department, says that the project has not been approved by his department. An official from the PWD states that any construction inside the Vaigai would create a disturbance to the river. “Any man-made disturbance would cause disturbance to the environment. The stretch from Sellur railway bridge to the Thathaneri roundabout is prone to stagnation of sewage. It would create more such issues,” he said. A floating population which uses the road will directly dump more waste inside the river bed. He said that work has been stopped.
Vaigai Nathi Makkal Iyakkam, a Non-Government Organisation, issued a press statement against this construction and said that authorities were looking to shrink the size of the river. Their approach towards the protection of the river should be condemned.