Work to widen Arcot-Tindivanam High Road in Ranipet commences

Work to widen Arcot-Tindivanam High Road (SH-116) into a four-lane stretch in Ranipet began on Friday.

Accompanied by Collector J.U. Chandrakala, Minister for Handlooms and Textiles R. Gandhi laid the foundation stone for the widening work, which will be carried out by the Highways Department.

“Once widened, the stretch will be safer for travel because of more space and safety features. At present, the stretch is dangerous for motorists due to lack of streetlights and narrow carriageway,” said B. Venkatesh, a motorist. Of the total 90 km of the stretch that will be widened, 21.6 km is in Ranipet.

Funded under the Chief Minister’s Road Development Programme (CMRDP) 2024-25, the ₹32.50 crore work involves widening of the stretch up to 15 metres, and construction of a concrete median and stormwater drain. The stretch will have at least four high mast lamps at key intersections and adequate LED street lights. Reflectors, signages, blinkers and CCTV cameras will also be installed, say Highways officials.

A 7.6-metre-long bridge will be built across Cheyyar river to discharge floodwater from the stretch into the river and prevent its inundation.

The widening will help accommodate container lorries on the route and ease traffic on arterial stretches such as Chittoor-Cuddalore Highway and Chennai-Bengaluru Highway.

Currently, around 20,000 vehicles use the stretch every day. As it is also a major pilgrim route, 15 culverts and six bus bays will be constructed to accommodate town and mofussil buses.

“The widening work is the first major work under the scheme [CMRDP] in the district. The entire work will be completed in six months,” S. Selvakumar, Divisional Engineer, State Highways (Ranipet), told The Hindu.

Officials said there was adequate land available — around 30 metres — on both sides of the stretch. This eliminated the need for land acquisition, ensuring faster completion of the work.

Around 400 trees and 40 electric poles were removed for the widening work. Ten saplings for every uprooted tree will be planted on the widened stretch to restore green cover.