Damaged South Beach Road in Thoothukudi turns into accident zone

The South Beach Road, which is used by a large number of motorcycles and the heavy vehicles going to the Fishing Harbour, V.O.C. Port, and Tuticorin Thermal Power Station, is in the worst shape and has become a major cause of accidents.

As this road connects Thoothukudi city with the V.O.C. Port, Fishing Harbour, TTPS, NTPL, Central Industrial Security Force, godowns storing the bulk cargo being imported in the seaport, New Harbour Beach, Roach Park, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Boat Club, vehicular traffic is dense round the clock.

While a small portion of this road is under the control of V.O.C. Port, a major portion of the road is under the control of the State Highways Department. Even as the port is maintaining the stretch under its control in good condition, the department appears to have abandoned its road, which is full of potholes and craters causing frequent accidents.

While the craters and the potholes are everywhere, the road surface is eroded at several places.

“The stretch between Our Lady of Snows Basilica and the CMFRI is in worst shape with huge caters and pits. After the recent rain, the situation has become worst as we are witnessing accidents involving motorcycles every day. A few hundred vehicles, including the insulated lorries coming to the fishing harbour to take marine products every day, are badly damaged as they hit the craters at night. With frequent power cuts, drivers cannot see the potholes at night. The Department of Highways should take steps to at least fill the pits and the craters now if they cannot re-lay this damaged portions because of drizzle or occasional rains,” says J. Adrin, a fish trader from Lions Town.