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Thursday, Apr 10, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

NHAI officials in a tight spot

Staff Reporter

Public opposition to alignment of Rs. 560-crore NH 67 section

Protest planned against damage to Thaarugavaneswarar and Sri Kailasanathar temple
People are sore that alternative stretches were not studied

KARUR: Saddled with a road development design that was prepared perhaps without taking into cognizance the unique and disturbing features of the Tiruchi-Karur section of the National Highway 67, it seems that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is but left with few options with regard to realignment.

How far the NHAI will be able to accommodate public interests with regard to dwelling units and historic structures that are to be trampled under the juggernaut of the Rs. 560-crore project remains to be seen.

The proposed road development project envisages hard-shouldered two-lane traffic from Jeeyapuram in Tiruchi district to Manavasi in Karur district and four-lane road stretches between Panjappur and Jeeyapuram as also between Manavasi and Karur. As per the project report, close to 1,300 structures in areas en route such as Sirugamani, Perugamani and Pettaivaithalai (all in Tiruchi district), and Krishnarayapuram and Manavasi (in Karur district) need to be pulled down.

Trouble erupted once the groundwork commenced a few weeks back.

People and organisations protested the planned damage to the hallowed and centuries-old Thaarugavaneswarar temple at Thiruparaithurai, demolition of Sri Kailasanathar temple at Thimmachipuram and relocation of a few other shrines to make way for the new road.

Affected people also gave vent to their ire over the plan to acquire their property for roadwork.

After receiving petitions on the issue, the NHAI officials along with the concessionaire’s representatives on Tuesday made a field study and met a cross section of the community that would be affected by the shifting and removal of structures.

Temple relocation

The study revealed that the Kailasanathar temple needed to be relocated and monetary compensation could be provided for rebuilding the structure on the Cauvery riverbank just opposite to its present location itself.

A couple of other small shrines including those that have been built encroaching on the Highways lands have to be cleared.

Mosques at Sirugamani and Thiruparaithurai would be pulled down.

Also, the majestic compound wall of the Tharugavaneswarar temple abutting the existing highway at Thiruparaithurai need to be relocated for distances between six and 11 metres. The temple is not disturbed, NHAI sources reiterated.

The sources further said that there was a misconception among a section of the public over the width of the proposed alignment.

In most places, it would be just 100 feet including the present road and margin.

Stating that it was not easy to shift the road into the river bund, as cost escalation, feasibility, terrain, and other factors tie their hands, the sources, however, assured that enough care would be taken to avoid disturbing dwelling units and historical structures and minimise their relocation.

The major problem was that the South Bank Canal as also the railway track on the southern side and the Cauvery on the northern side sandwich the present and the proposed road for a major distance thwarting any big realignment.

They have very little to say or do at present, the officials claim.

On their part, the people are sore that alternative stretches such as the Mangammal Salai between Manavasi in Karur district and Uyyakondan area in Tiruchi district were not fully studied and their potential analysed at the design stage itself, presenting the NHAI officials with a fait accompli.

Even the motorists would be forced to contend with cramped road stretches for a majority of the distance with four-lane breathers on just the extremes of Tiruchi and Karur.

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