Sat Nov 08 14:37:22 UTC 2025: Summary:

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has paid ₹5.6 crore in compensation to the School Education Department for acquiring land belonging to the Government Boys Higher Secondary School in Tiruvalam village, Vellore, for the Chennai-Bengaluru National Highway (NH-48) widening project. This action follows a report in The Hindu highlighting the safety risks faced by students due to the demolished classrooms and compound wall, which had left the campus slushy and uneven. NHAI also levelled the demolished area within the school campus. The school administration has thanked the district administration and NHAI for their prompt response.

News Article:

NHAI Pays Compensation, Repairs School Grounds After Highway Widening Disrupts Learning

Vellore, India – November 8, 2025 – The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has taken swift action to address the disruption caused to the Government Boys Higher Secondary School in Tiruvalam village, near Katpadi, following the acquisition of school land for the Chennai-Bengaluru National Highway (NH-48) widening project.

After a report in The Hindu newspaper exposed the hazardous conditions students faced due to the demolition of eight unused classrooms and a portion of the compound wall, NHAI has paid ₹5.6 crore to the School Education Department as compensation. The demolition had rendered the school grounds slushy and uneven, posing a significant safety risk, especially during the monsoon season.

“The non-payment of compensation had hindered our ability to undertake necessary repair work, like leveling the campus and identifying new locations for classroom construction,” said an official from the School Education Department.

In response to the report, P. Merian Jothika, Special Tasildar (Land Acquisition), submitted a report to Collector V.R. Subbulaxmi, confirming that NHAI had transferred the compensation to the Chief Educational Officer (CEO) of Vellore on November 7th.

In addition to the compensation payment, NHAI also undertook the levelling of the demolished open space within the school campus on Friday. School authorities have expressed their gratitude to the district administration and NHAI for their prompt action to ensure the safety of the school’s 300 students.

The school, built in 1966, is spread across three acres and serves students from surrounding farming villages. The ongoing widening project is part of the ₹5,964-crore Chennai-Bengaluru Expressway, which will be converted into a four-lane route, at least 90 metres wide, complete with elevated bridges, underpasses, and toll plazas.

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