Madurai Corporation has now taken up a project to widen the culvert over Bibikulam Channel. “At present the carriageway over the channel is around 11 metres. We have proposed to widen it up to 30 metres so that there is more carriageway allowing free left for vehicles proceeding from Jawahar Road to P.T.Rajan Salai (Narimedu side) and for those coming from Nethaji Main Road towards Rathinasamy Nadar Road,” a Corporation engineer said.
The proposal that has been collecting dust since early 1990s got a nod from the Corporation only a few months ago.
The Corporation has proposed to widen the slabs over the channel on both sides of the existing carriageway. Besides, it will also shift a transformer, telephone junction boxes and a few electric poles away from the junction to widen the junction.
“In the process, Jawahar Road and Netaji Main Road will be brought under a smoother alignment that spares vehicles on these two roads making multiple turnings at the junction to cross over to the other road,” he said.
A huge drinking water main pipeline that has been a hindrance at the junction will also be diverted to make the junction more spacious.
The work, taken up at a cost of ₹58 lakh, also envisages to replace the present carriageway.
The work would start immediately after shifting of electric poles, transformers and the pipeline, he added.