Exploring the Planning Design Opportunities for Road Transportation Network of Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

The transportation system in Kanyakumari District has met the grim situation over the years due to numerous parameters like increasing population, increasing economic activity, increasing vehicular population, negligence from the administrative officials, unethical practices of the locals, etc.; led it to a pathetic condition, especially on National Highway-47. However, to simplify the situation, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), Government of India is taking up the effort for developing the new bypass road to the existing NH-47 by diverting form selected few junctions. Unfortunately, this partial solution for the existing NH-47 will give birth to numerous other physical, socio-economic, and ecological problems. The objectives of this study is to identify the possible causes of the inadequacies in prevailing transportation network of Kanyakumari District and put forward logical, scientific and economical conceptual level solutions for the betterment of road users and people of the district. In order to revamp the present dreadful condition, the authors have worked out some simple remedial measures as a solution by conducting exhaustive observation survey, analytical work, discussions with experts and the locals, etc. It includes assessing the prevailing conditions of transportation system in the district, proposing planning design options for rectifying the short comings of the transportation network of the district, conceptualization of the standard flyover design for the NH-47 and ring roads for selected towns of high importance. Further, the paper concludes with plausible and executable recommendations. It is recommended that, in the light of these findings of opportunities and possibilities, the administrative authorities and officials of Kanyakumari district might look into rejuvenating the road transportation scenario of the district.