Locals place Trichy road accident victim’s body on NH, stage protest demanding underpass

TRICHY: Demanding construction of a vehicular underpass for the Trichy-Chennai National Highway (NH) at Sanjeevi Nagar intersection in Trichy, relatives of a youth killed in a road accident blocked the vehicular movement on Friday evening. The protesters placed the victim's dead body on the highway and stalled the vehicular movement for about 40 minutes.

The deceased youth has been identified as N Vignesh, 24, of Sarkarpalayam. He was employed in a private hotel.

On January 11, the youth, while returning home on a two-wheeler, was hit by a truck. Vignesh, who suffered severe head injuries, was admitted to Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital (MGMGH). He died on Thursday night.

His relatives received his body after postmortem on Friday. Around 3,30pm, they brought the mortal remains to the Sanjeevi Nagar intersection, placed the body on the road and blocked the highway.

Barricades were pushed down to block the road.

Stating that villagers reaching the city from Sarkarpalayam and Panayakurichi were facing threats in accessing the NH near Sanjeevi Nagar, the protesters sought a vehicular underpass at the intersection.

Protesters argued that Chennai and Trichy-bound vehicles can use the elevated road while vehicles, mostly two-wheelers heading to nearby villages, can use the underpass for a safe commute.

The traffic signal installed by the city police was not effective, the protesters added.

The protesters dispersed when revenue and city police officials assured them that the demand for an underpass would be conveyed to the National Highways Authority of India through the district administration.