Foundation for first phase of Outer Ring Road around Sivakasi laid

The foundation for a 9.92-km-long Outer Ring Road between Poovanathapuram junction and Vadamalapuram bridge as part of Outer Ring Road around Sivakasi for 33.520 km was laid here on Monday. Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu laid the foundation for the work, estimated to cost ₹120 crore, near Vadamalapuram check-post in the presence of Collector V.P. Jeyaseelan and Sivakasi MLA G. Ashokan.

The 10-metre-wide new Outer Ring Road with a median would connect Srivilliputtur-Sivakasi Road with Sivakasi-Virudhunagar highway bypassing Sivakasi town to decongest arterial roads, said Mr. Thennarasu. The Outer Ring Road project around Sivakasi had been proposed to be carried out in three phases. It would provide bypass links to Sattur-Sivakasi-Kazhugumalai Road, Sivakasi-Alangulam Road, Sivakasi-Erichchanatham Road, Sivakasi-Kanniseri Road and Viswanatham-Venkatachalapuram Road.

A proposal to construct a road overbridge at Keezha Tiruthangal and Anaiyur had been sent to Southern Railway as part of the project. Land acquisition had been taken up in seven revenue villages of Vadapatti, Namaskarithanpatti, Keezhatiruthangal, Anuppankulam, Naranapuram, Kongalapuram for executing the new road work.

The first phase of work would connect Srivilliputtur-Sivakasi Road, Sivakasi to Erichanatham Road, Erichanatham to Virudhunagar Road, the Minister said.

Initially, the Revenue Department acquired 90 hectares of land for the project. Since the alignment of the road was planned through residential area, affecting several dwelling units, the alignment was changed and 147 hectares of land had been acquired now, an official said.

The work under the Comprehensive Road Infrastructure Development Project had been planned to be completed in 18 months. It included construction of 56 culverts and one major bridge.

Sivakasi Mayor I. Sangeetha and Divisional Engineer (Highways) Backiyalakshmi were among those present.