Motorists travelling along the Vellore-Ranipet highway are facing significant hardship due to the severely damaged service lane on the border stretch. The service lane, maintained by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), is riddled with potholes, making it dangerous and difficult to navigate, particularly for two-wheeler riders.
Complaints have been escalating for months, with commuters reporting frequent accidents and vehicle damage. The poor condition forces many to merge onto the main highway, increasing the risk of collisions with speeding vehicles. Local residents and frequent travellers highlight that the service lane deterioration began after recent heavy rains and has progressively worsened due to lack of maintenance.
The affected stretch is near the border of Vellore and Ranipet districts, specifically impacting areas around Melpakkam and Kandhampakkam. Motorists are demanding immediate re-laying of the service lane, emphasizing the safety concerns and the inconvenience caused by the damaged road. They point out that the NHAI has been unresponsive to repeated representations and requests for repair.
Several commuters have taken to social media to voice their grievances, sharing images and videos of the hazardous road conditions. Concerns are also raised about the potential for increased accidents during the upcoming festival season when traffic volume is expected to rise.
Local authorities have acknowledged the issue and forwarded complaints to the NHAI. However, no concrete action has been taken to address the problem. Motorists express frustration over the delay and urge the NHAI to prioritize the repair of the service lane to ensure the safety of road users and prevent further damage to vehicles. The situation is causing significant disruption to daily commutes and impacting local businesses reliant on smooth transportation.
