Residents, including women and farmers, from Chennasamudram village gheraoed the toll plaza office on Chennai - Bengaluru Highway (NH 48) in Walajah town in Ranipet on Tuesday, demanding that the NHAI construct a subway across the busy stretch to prevent accidents on the route.
The protest comes in the wake of an accident in which K. Sarath Kumar, 24, a mason from Chennasamudram village, was killed after being hit by a tourist van when he tried to cross the busy stretch on Sunday. He was rushed to Government Medical College Hospital in Vellore where doctors declared he was brought dead. “Sarath Kumar was not the first victim of the road accident in the stretch. Many lives were lost and families were affected. We want a facility to cross the stretch safely,” said G. Muniyan, a resident.
Residents in Chennasamudram and surrounding villages have to cross the carriageway of the stretch to reach neighbouring towns and villages. The toll plaza on the stretch, at least 10 km from Chennasamudram village, is where vehicles can take a ‘U’ turn.
As a result, residents have to risk their lives by crossing the carriageway, especially at night. Farmers have to take a detour of at least 15 km reach the opposite side of the stretch to sell their farm produce in local markets. Ambulances, too, have to travel long distances to villages that are located on both sides of the stretch.
