NHAI opens ₹21-crore underpass on Chennai-Bengaluru Highway, eliminating Vellore's last black spot

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has opened for public use a ₹21-crore vehicular underpass on the Chennai-Bengaluru Highway (NH 48) at Kadaneri village, near the Pallikonda toll plaza, in Vellore district. The facility, inaugurated on Saturday, marks the completion of safety measures at the last identified black spot—an accident-prone location—on the highway stretch within Vellore.

The 20-metre-wide underpass, with a height of 5.5 metres, has been constructed beneath an 800-metre-long elevated corridor. It is designed to accommodate two-wheelers, cars, and vans, and will also serve pedestrians, particularly dairy farmers in the area who frequently need to cross the busy highway. According to NHAI officials, the facility will also enable ambulances to reach accident victims more quickly and safely.

Vehicular underpasses allow cross traffic to pass below the elevated main carriageway without interfering with high-speed highway traffic. This design reduces the risk of collisions and ensures uninterrupted movement on the main corridor. The area near the underpass also hosts several government schools, primary healthcare centres, and car service centres, making the safe crossing essential for local residents.

The stretch between Walajah toll gate in Ranipet district and Krishnagiri, spanning 148 km, has 13 identified black spots, based on the analysis of accident data over a period. Of these, five are located in Vellore district. With the opening of the Kadaneri underpass, NHAI has now completed such facilities at all five locations in Vellore. The earlier four underpasses were at Perumugai, Vettuvannan, Kinnimangalam, and Vallaram villages.

“The new underpass will help pedestrians, who are mostly dairy farmers, to cross the stretch safely. Ambulances can also use the underpass to help reach victims on time,” a senior NHAI official said.

Local motorists have welcomed the new infrastructure but also called for additional safety features. B. Sampath, a frequent traveller on the highway, said, “LED lights, reflectors, signages, and blinkers should be installed on the new elevated corridor to ensure safety of motorists during night.”

According to NHAI, the entire corridor between Krishnagiri and Walajapet (Ranipet district) now has more than 20 underpasses, reflecting a concerted effort to reduce accidents and improve connectivity for local communities. The opening of the final underpass in Vellore is part of a broader initiative by NHAI to eliminate black spots along the national highway network, enhancing road safety and easing traffic flow on one of India’s busiest inter-city routes.