High cost of bitumen in the open market has made the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) delay the work of black topping the incomplete portion of the carriageway of the new elevated bridge on Chennai - Bengaluru Highway (NH 48) at Melvisharam near Arcot town in Ranipet. This has forced hundreds to use the narrow service lane.

Officials of NHAI, which executes the ₹22 crore-elevated bridge work, said that the other side of the carriageway on the new bridge has not been laid with bitumen due to price escalation of tar due to conflict in West Asia. “The cost of tar, a byproduct of petroleum, has increased manifold in the open market, especially due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East. We are waiting for bitumen prices to stabilize,” said a NHAI official.

As a result, motorists have to use the narrow service lane, which is 30 feet wide. Ambulances and buses get stuck in traffic along the service lane, especially during rush hour. “With poor streetlights and other safety measures like reflectors and signages, the service lane remains risky for motorists as local residents cross the stretch with cattle in the evening hours. NHAI should complete the bridge work and open the facility to the public immediately,” said S. Vinoth, a motorist.

Motorists said that the service lane, which is six-metre-wide, was ridden with potholes for more than a month. The damaged stretch has risked motorists, vehicles and pedestrians. 

Excess rainwater from abandoned stone quarries in the area is discharged into residential areas and key stretches, including the service lane. It has resulted in knee-deep waterlogging on the service lane of the stretch. 

Based on directions of Ranipet Collector N. Priya, the police requested NHAI to open the under-construction bridge on the stretch to ease traffic flow on the route and also to ensure safety of motorists. NHAI officials said that strengthening of the retaining wall of the bridge, final bitumen layer and installation of streetlights on the bridge are left to be completed.