The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has resumed regular two-way traffic around the Green Circle roundabout in Vellore following the completion of critical subway construction phases.

  • Two-way traffic restored around Green Circle, Vellore.
  • Subway construction (₹7.50-crore project) enters final stages.
  • Relief for heavy vehicles previously facing 2km detours.
  • Aim to eliminate the area's status as a 'black spot'.

VELLORE: In a significant move to ease urban congestion, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has restored regular two-way traffic movement around the Green Circle roundabout. Located beneath the elevated corridor of the Chennai-Bengaluru National Highway (NH 48), this restoration provides immediate relief to hundreds of daily commuters in Vellore town.

According to NHAI officials, the traffic restrictions that had been in place since July 12 were necessary to facilitate the second and final phase of the ₹7.50-crore subway project. With the completion of the critical underground works, the carriageway has been reopened for seamless movement.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the Green Circle roundabout was officially identified as a 'black spot'—a high-risk zone prone to frequent road accidents. The decision to construct an underground subway is a strategic intervention designed to decouple local traffic from high-speed highway transit, thereby significantly reducing the probability of collisions and improving overall road safety.

The restoration of regular traffic movement will drastically reduce waiting times for motorists and improve the safety of pedestrians crossing the area.

Prior to this restoration, traffic management was highly restrictive. Only light vehicles, including two-wheelers, auto-rickshaws, and cars, were permitted to use the service lanes. Heavy vehicles were forced to navigate a cumbersome two-kilometer detour, leading to increased travel times and fuel consumption for logistics operators.

Historical Background

The Chennai-Bengaluru National Highway (NH 48) is one of India's most vital economic arteries. As Vellore has grown into a major educational and medical hub, the pressure on its arterial roads has intensified. The Green Circle, once a simple junction, became a bottleneck due to the intersection of local city traffic and heavy interstate transit.

Did You Know?: A 'black spot' in road engineering refers to a specific location where accident rates are significantly higher than the surrounding areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why was the traffic restricted at Green Circle?
Traffic was diverted to allow for the second phase of the ₹7.50-crore subway construction project.

2. When will the entire project be completed?
NHAI aims to complete the entire subway construction before the onset of the northeast monsoon.