Centre’s nod awaited for opening of Tiruvannamalai flyover

TIRUVANNAMALAI: Though a flyover costing Rs 19.31 crore was constructed in Tiruvannamalai town two months ago, it is yet to become operational due to lack of clearance from Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

However, sources have revealed that many have started wondering about the use of the flyover for the public as it serves no purpose.

The facility is at Inam Kariyandal village on the Vellore – Tiruvannamalai highway at the junction where the road divides the left one becoming the town’s bypass road crossing the Government Medical College hospital and leading to places like Cuddalore, Tiruchy and Chidambaram while the right arm leads into the town. “The flyover too has been constructed on the left arm meaning that it enters the bypass road on a curve and hence we do not know the reason why it was constructed in the place at all,” said an official on condition of anonymity.

With both ends of the flyover being barricaded against vehicular use, all vehicles use the service roads on both sides of the flyover. The facility is now used to dry Palmyrah pods and onions. Naresh a government bus driver said “even if the facility becomes operational, I feel comfortable using the service road and hence I will continue to use it.”

With a new toll plaza coming up at Inam Kariyandal, officials feel that it will lead to traffic jams on the Vellore side many years hence. Even Collector B Murugesh also remained mute to the queries. Hence this is once again a classic example of public money not being put to very good use.