Accompanied by Vellore MP DM Kathir Anand, K. Murali, Superintendent Engineer (SE), State Highways (Tiruvannamalai) and NR Dhanasekaran, Divisional Engineer (DE), State Highways (Vellore), Public Works and Highways Minister EV Velu laid the foundation stone for the work.
State Highways has started the widening of the existing Vellore-Tirupattur two-lane highway (SH-122) to four lanes at Abdullapuram village near the under-construction Vellore airport.
Officials of the state highways that maintain the stretch said that widening the stretch, especially between Abdullapuram (Vellore) and Alangayam (Tirupattur), would provide an alternative route for motorists as they can bypass the busy Chennai – Bengaluru Highway (NH 48) to reach small towns and farming villages along the route much faster. “The widening of the stretch will help heavy vehicles like trucks and lorries use the route to reach nearby districts and cities. The entire work will be completed by 2026,” S. Ashokan, Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE), State Highways, told The Hindu.
Accompanied by Vellore MP DM Kathir Anand, K. Murali, Superintendent Engineer (SE), State Highways (Tiruvannamalai) and NR Dhanasekaran, Divisional Engineer (DE), State Highways (Vellore), Public Works and Highways Minister EV Velu laid the foundation stone for the work. “Adequate safety measures such as reflectors, speed breakers, CCTV cameras and street lights should be put in place under the extension to ensure the safety of road users, including pedestrians,” said B. Pandi, a motorist.
Funded under the Chief Minister’s Road Development Plan (CMRDP) 2024-25, the widening work will be done at a cost of ₹50 crore. Out of a total of 79.50 km, the section will be widened to a distance of 8 km from the current width of 7 meters to 10 meters. The works also include 21 minor bridges, seven bus bays, extended stormwater drains, a median, retaining wall, guardrails and a footpath. Initially, the section will be widened near the under-construction airport to allow smooth traffic on the route.
It is estimated that more than 23,000 vehicles, mainly trucks and container trucks, between Bengaluru and Chennai use this stretch every day to go to the industrial corridors in Kancheepuram and Chennai. The widening works will help the easy transportation of cargo by trucks and lorries on the route. It will also ease traffic on other stretches like Chittoor-Cuddalore Expressway and Chennai-Bengaluru Expressway. The stretch is also a key bus route for commuters in Vellore and Tirupattur districts.
Highway officials said a total of 622 trees will be uprooted along the route for the work. Tangedco will also relocate 227 electric poles and four transformers for expansion work, for which ₹ 1.6 crore has been paid as relocation charges. As part of the safety features, the extended section will have road nails, reflectors, markings, blinkers and CCTV cameras will also be included.
Published – 8 Nov 2025 20:05 IST
