logo
Construction of bypass to reduce traffic congestion in Tirupattur town begins

Construction of bypass to reduce traffic congestion in Tirupattur town begins

The Hindu07-05-2025

Work on the construction of a four-lane bypass between Ratchamangalam and Damalerimuthur villages on Tirupattur-Singarapettai High Road to decongest Tirupattur town has begun.
Officials of the State Highways said the bypass was aimed at providing an alternative route for long-distance travellers and commercial vehicles to go to places such as Dharmapuri, Salem, Tiruvannamalai, and Bargur at Damalerimuthur village.
'Ambulances find it difficult to reach the nearest government hospitals via the narrow stretches of the town as lorries use the same roads to reach the Salem-Vaniyambadi Highway. The bypass will reduce traffic in the town,' S. Priya, a motorist, said.
The bypass — to be laid for a distance of 14.35 km in two phases — will also help local motorists to make use of the Tirupattur-Singarapettai High Road to reach the centre of the town.
It will be constructed at least 3 km-4 km away from the road to prevent commercial vehicles from entering the town while travelling to other districts.
At present, the key stretch witnesses continuous flow of heavy vehicles, resulting in traffic congestion and accidents on the route. 'As per estimates, more than 14,000 vehicles pass through Tirupattur town to go to Krishnagiri, Salem and Chennai. The work on the bypass will be completed in 2026,' K.R. Rajathi, Assistant Executive Engineer, State Highways (NABARD), told The Hindu.
Funded under the Comprehensive Road Infrastructure Development Programme 2023-24, the ₹41.5 crore work includes 10-metre-wide carriageway, 1.2-metre-wide median, footpath, LED street lights and high mast lamps.
It will connect at least eight farming villages to Tirupattur town. It will also help villages in Natrampalli, Jolarpet and Tirupattur panchayat unions to easily access key towns such as Ambur, Vaniyambadi, and Vellore.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Rapido eyes Goa expansion, lauds state's bike taxi rules
Rapido eyes Goa expansion, lauds state's bike taxi rules

The Hindu

time5 hours ago

  • The Hindu

Rapido eyes Goa expansion, lauds state's bike taxi rules

Bike taxi and auto aggregator Rapido is gearing up to launch its services in Goa, actively reviewing the state's newly introduced Transport Aggregator Guidelines, 2025. With operations already spanning over 215 cities and ambitious plans to reach 500 by year-end, the company sees significant potential in the tourism-driven state. In an exclusive conversation with The Hindu, Pavan Guntupalli, Co-founder of Rapido, shared his insights on Goa's regulatory framework and the company's vision for the region. He lauded the state's proactive approach, stating, 'Goa's move to formalise bike taxi operations is very progressive. Interestingly, Goa had the concept of bike taxis as early as 1991, making it one of the most forward-thinking states in this regard.' Mr. Guntupalli believes 'the new aggregator guidelines will enable the digital transportation economy, which aligns well' with the company's mission. While Rapido is not yet operational in Goa, the company is poised for a swift rollout. 'We are waiting for the formalisation of the guidelines. Once that happens, we will enter the market,' Mr. Guntupalli confirmed, adding, 'While we don't have a specific timeline yet, we are ready to launch as soon as the framework is finalised.' He highlighted the strong existing preference for two-wheelers, noting, 'For a population of 1.5 million, there are approximately 8 lakh bikes.' (For top technology news of the day, subscribe to our tech newsletter Today's Cache) The Goa Transport Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, stipulate several requirements, including a branch office in Goa, local data storage (or on Indian servers) for three years, and a ₹10 lakh health insurance for drivers (extending to parents and children for female drivers). Aggregators are also barred from preventing drivers from joining multiple platforms and must settle payments to vehicle owners within 72 hours without deductions. Regarding these regulations, such as the ₹5 lakh fee and data storage, Mr. Guntupalli emphasised a collaborative approach. 'We see these regulations as part of a collaborative process. Rapido has completed over two billion rides in the past decade and operates in multiple states, so we bring a wealth of experience to the table.' On data specifically, he affirmed, 'Rapido is an Indian company with deep local roots. We are fully aligned with storing data locally and ensuring compliance with government policies.' Safety remains a cornerstone of Rapido's operations. 'For tourists unfamiliar with Goa's roads, we offer features like real-time ride tracking, driver verification, and proactive alerts if something seems off during the ride,' he detailed. The company plans a comprehensive rollout, aiming 'to provide transportation solutions not just in urban areas but also in smaller towns.' Mr. Guntupalli is optimistic about existing taxi unions in the state. 'Unlike 2013, when platforms like ours were new, today we have data-backed evidence showing that joining Rapido improves earnings by at least 30%,' he said. 'Moreover, Rapido operates on a zero-commission model, which directly benefits captains.' A key initiative for Goa will be 'Rapido Pink,' a service by women captains for women riders. 'Yes, we see great potential for Rapido the limited job opportunities for women in Goa, especially in tourism, Rapido Pink can create meaningful employment while ensuring safety and convenience for female riders,' Guntupalli highlighted, noting its success in cities like Chennai. Differentiating itself from competitors, Rapido will lean on its 'zero-commission model and focus on affordability, safety, and convenience,' coupled with its 'extensive experience in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.' As Goa moves towards finalising its guidelines, Rapido stands ready. 'We are excited about the opportunity to contribute to Goa's transportation ecosystem,' Guntupalli concluded. 'Our goal is to collaborate with the government and ensure that the new policies benefit all stakeholders—tourists, locals, and captains alike.'

Transport dept. to give work order to roll out advanced smart cards for driving licenses and vehicle registrations
Transport dept. to give work order to roll out advanced smart cards for driving licenses and vehicle registrations

The Hindu

time5 days ago

  • The Hindu

Transport dept. to give work order to roll out advanced smart cards for driving licenses and vehicle registrations

In a major technological upgrade, the Karnataka Transport Department has finalised a vendor to design and produce next-generation smart cards for driving licences (DLs) and vehicle registration certificates (RCs). These cards will feature embedded chips and QR codes, offering improved durability, enhanced data security, and easier verification processes. Transport officials revealed that the selected firm is expected to receive the official work order within 15 days. The new smart cards will replace the current polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cards that have been in use for years. These advanced cards are seen as a leap forward in modernising transport documentation, combining robust materials and secure data storage methods. 'The smart cards will be manufactured using polycarbonate, a high-grade material renowned for its strength and resilience. In addition to an embedded chip and a QR code, the cards will include laser-engraved text to prevent the wear and fading commonly seen in PVC cards. This approach ensures that the cards remain legible and tamper-resistant over their lifespan,' a senior transport department official told The Hindu. Officials highlighted that Karnataka is aligning itself with several other Indian States, such as Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, and Himachal Pradesh, which have already introduced similar smart card systems for their transport documents. 'The smart DL will store up to 25 distinct data fields, including the licence holder's name, photograph, date of birth, blood group, mobile number, address, licence validity, and emergency contact. Similarly, the upgraded RC will display essential vehicle-related data such as registration number, registration date, validity, chassis and engine numbers, and owner details on the front. The back will carry a QR code that provides extended information, including the vehicle's make, model, type, seating capacity, and financing details,' official added. The embedded QR code will allow quick digital access to basic user information by police and transport officials during inspections, eliminating the need for manual document checks. For more detailed data, authorised personnel can use a dedicated chip reader, thereby simplifying procedures in cases of traffic violations, accidents, or document theft. To maintain consistency and quality across all cards, printing and production will be centralised at the Transport Commissioner's head office in Bengaluru, according to officials. 'This centralised approach will help ensure all smart cards adhere to uniform security and design standards. It will also streamline logistics, reducing delays and ensuring faster delivery to applicants across the state,' the official explained.

State Highways begins counting of vehicles on key roads in Vellore
State Highways begins counting of vehicles on key roads in Vellore

The Hindu

time24-05-2025

  • The Hindu

State Highways begins counting of vehicles on key roads in Vellore

: The State Highways has begun the counting of vehicles on key stretches, intersections, and border areas in Vellore district to introduce road safety measures such as widening of stretches and traffic diversions. State Highways officials said the annual execise, which was put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic, had been resumed due to the rise in the number of vehicles. The exercise is monitored by R.N. Dhanasekar, Divisional Engineer, State Highways (Vellore). 'The counting helps us assess vehicular flow on key stretches and intersections to make improvements as part of road safety measures. Volunteers have been roped in for the week-long exercise,' B. Yogaraj, Assistant Engineer, State Highways (Gudiyatham), told The Hindu. According to Highways officials, the census helps understand traffic flow patterns, and identify busy routes and accident-prone spots. Based on the flow of vehicles, the identified routes and junctions will be widened. Other safety measures include additional traffic signals, reduction in pedestrian crossings and traffic diversions. 'Stretches within Vellore Corporation limits should be widened to meet growing vehicular traffic in the town. For example, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams traffic junction on Anna Salai is narrow, even ambulances get stuck on the stretch,' said K. Sampath, a motorist. The key stretches identified for the census include Chittoor-Tiruvalam Road, Katpadi-Vallimalai Road, Cuddalore-Chittoor Road, Pallikonda Main Road and Ponnai-Tiruvalam Main Road. The exercise also covers stretches that connect border villages in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh such as Melpatti Road, Paradarami Road and Chittoor Gate Road near Gudiyatham town. Divided into teams, two persons will carry out the task in each identified area. Eight types of vehicles, including lorries, multiple-axle wheel lorries, buses, tractors, cars, two-wheelers and bull carts, will be covered in the exercise. The survey will be undertaken between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on all days, including Sundays. Highways officials said on an average, an increase of 5%-10% of vehicles had been found in the district every year. Compiled data of the vehicles will be processed by the Traffic Science Laboratory of the Highways Research Station in Chennai. The laboratory will provide detailed guidelines for traffic changes on identified routes in the coming months.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store