The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has approved the construction of underpasses at five high‑risk locations on the Chennai‑Bengaluru corridor (NH‑48) within Tirupattur district. The move targets a dramatic reduction in fatal road‑traffic collisions that have plagued these intersections for years.

Identified Black Spots and Current Risks

Following a field inspection by District Collector G. Ravikumar, the intersections at Panchur village, Vellakal Natham‑Cheteri junction, Mallappally junction, Natrampalli, and Vaniyambadi‑Valayapatti were flagged as black spots. Data shows an average of five deadly accidents per spot, predominantly involving pedestrians—mainly farmers moving cattle across the busy stretch.

Design, Cost and Timeline of the Underpasses

Each underpass will be at least 4.5 metres high and 20 metres wide, allowing uninterrupted two‑way traffic. The projected expenditure stands at ₹22 crore per structure, with an anticipated construction period of 18 months. The 65‑km segment between Krishnagiri and Tirupattur already hosts more than 20 underpasses along the 148‑km corridor from Walajah (Ranipet) to Krishnagiri, demonstrating proven feasibility.

Interim Safety Measures and Community Outreach

Before the underpasses are operational, Collector Ravikumar ordered NHAI to install warning boards, reflectors, blinking lights, and to launch awareness drives in neighboring villages to deter jaywalking. These stop‑gap measures aim to lower risk while the major works progress.

Stakeholder Perspectives

Local farmers, who regularly cross the highway with livestock, welcomed the proposal as a life‑saving intervention. Motorist R. Pavan remarked, “Underpasses will protect pedestrians and also help drivers maintain speed without sudden braking. Adequate night‑time lighting is essential.”

Overall, the initiative reflects a broader commitment to upgrade safety standards on national highways, reduce human and economic losses, and set a benchmark for rural road safety across India.