Periyar Nagar subway opened to town buses

Buses allowed to ply through the subway at Periyar Nagar on Thiruvanaikovil Trunk Road. | Photo Credit: M_SRINATH more-in Town buses heading towards Thiruvanaikovil from Chathram and Central Bus stands, which were diverted via the Tiruchi-Chennai Bypass over the past few months, have been allowed to ply through the newly built limited use subway alongside the road over-bridge being built at Periyar Nagar on Thiruvanaikovil Trunk Road. The move is expected to save considerable time for commuters as the diversion via bypass was a circuitous route. Transport operators who had been reportedly seeking a fare increase in view of the diversion would heave a sigh of relief. The Thiruvanaikovil Trunk Road was closed for traffic in July last year after the Highways Department began work on the construction of a four-lane bridge replacing the narrow bridge at the site. The old bridge had been demolished. The Highways Department in association with the Railways had built the subway first to ease traffic congestion caused by the bridge.

Although the subway was opened for light vehicle traffic a few years ago, buses continued to be operated on the diverted route. All town buses and light vehicles heading to Srirangam and Thiruvanaikovil from Chathram Bus Stand were diverted via Odathurai Road, Tiruchi-Chennai Bypass, Kumbakonathan Salai, Thiruvanaikovil Junction, and Gandhi Road to reach Srirangam. In the return direction, the vehicles were diverted via Amma Mandapam Road, Mambazhasalai, Cauvery bridge, and Anna statue to reach Chathram Bus Stand. Town buses and light vehicles from Chathram Bus Stand to Gunaseelam, Samayapuram and Lalgudi were going via the Odathurai Road, Tiruchi-Chennai Bypass, Kumbakonathan Salai and No.1 Tollgate. In an attempt to avoid the need for circuitous diversion, the district authorities have now decided to allow town buses heading towards Thiruvanaikovil, Srirangam, No.1 Tollgate and Samayapuram to go via the subway. However, buses would go via Amma Mandapam Road in the return direction.