Trucks with oversized cargo cause traffic congestion on service roads at Madaththur, Eppothumvendraan and Keezha Eeraal in Thoothukudi where NHAI is constructing underpasses.
| Photo Credit: N, RAJESH
The much-delayed construction of underpasses at three locations on Thoothukudi – Madurai four-lane national highway and three flyovers on Thoothukudi – Tirunelveli highway has frequently resulted in severe traffic snarls, especially when lorries carrying oversized cargo get stuck on service roads.To make things worse, the National Highways Authority of India, which collects toll for the two roads, has turned a blind eye to the badly damaged service roads. As NHAI is constructing underpasses at Madaththur, Eppothumvendraan and Keezha Eeraal on the four-lane national highway, narrow service roads have been provided at all busy spots to ensure continuous flow of vehicles until the underpasses are ready for traffic.While lorries carrying 40-foot-long containers can cautiously cross the narrow service roads, the 290-foot-long trucks loaded with windmill blades get stuck at the spots and cause traffic jam even though they are piloted by vehicles in the front and back.“Since the windmill blades are being imported and exported via VOC Port, and windmill companies are actively installing wind turbine generators along Kayathar, movement of oversized windmill components is on the rise. Hence, the lorries often get stuck on the service roads near the underpasses under construction. The police should restrict the movement of the lorries to late night so that it will not result in traffic jam,” says S. Dhanapaul of Madathur.Residents of Eppothumvendran and Keezha Eeraal too echo a similar opinion.Similarly, the delayed construction of flyovers near Thoothukudi District Collectorate and Korampallam, at Mangalagiri intersection and Vasavappapuram on Thoothukudi – Tirunelveli border also causes traffic snarls whenever heavy trucks carrying 40-foot-long containers move slowly.Even though the service roads on both sides of the flyover under construction near the Collectorate are in bad shape and cause accidents everyday, top officials, including the Collector, use them everyday.NHAI collects a hefty toll, which ranges from ₹120 for car and jeep, at Vaagaikulam toll plaza for using the road.NHAI officials said the underpasses and flyovers would be completed by February 2027. Published - August 30, 2026 07:36 pm IST
