The National Highways Authority of India has initiated a fresh survey to demarcate land for the widening of the Trichy–Karur National Highway in Tamil Nadu, marking a renewed push to improve a stretch long known for congestion and frequent accidents.
The survey covers an 11-kilometre section between Thindukkarai and Pettavaithalai, where revenue and survey officials are currently marking boundaries of previously acquired land. The exercise is being carried out based on compensation records and existing land documents to identify usable parcels on both sides of the highway.
The widening project has been pending for more than a decade despite earlier land acquisition efforts. However, a large portion of the acquired land had remained unutilised, with several properties still occupied by commercial establishments and private structures. Authorities have now begun the process of formally reviewing possession status to move the project forward.
Officials indicated that landowners and occupants will be given adequate time to vacate properties once the acquisition formalities are completed. In some cases, compensation payments are still pending, while several landowners have reportedly expressed willingness to surrender their portions of land voluntarily to support road improvement works.
A senior NHAI official stated that while full-scale widening of the entire stretch may not be feasible, targeted improvements will be undertaken to enhance safety. The focus will be on utilising available land to create additional carriageway space, medians, and dedicated bus bays, particularly in high-risk zones near the Cauvery riverbank.
Local stakeholders have raised concerns about the safety of the stretch, describing it as narrow and accident-prone. Experts and residents have long demanded urgent upgrades, especially in areas where traffic congestion and poor road geometry contribute to frequent fatal crashes.
According to officials, the ongoing survey may help secure an additional 10 to 15 feet of roadway width in certain sections. This added space is expected to be used for safety infrastructure such as dividers and designated stopping areas for public transport and school buses.
At the same time, preliminary planning has already begun for a larger infrastructure upgrade in the region. The NHAI is preparing a detailed project report for a proposed four-lane Trichy–Karur–Coimbatore greenfield highway, which is expected to significantly reduce travel time and ease congestion on the existing route.
The renewed activity follows recent media attention highlighting delays in utilising land that had already been acquired years ago. The current survey is seen as an effort to resolve long-standing bottlenecks and accelerate safety-focused improvements on the existing corridor.
