Sat Nov 15 23:57:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New Bus Shelters Open in Tiruvannamalai Ahead of Karthigai Deepam Festival
Tiruvannamalai, India – November 16, 2025 – The State Highways Department officially opened nine new bus shelters along the widened Chittoor-Cuddalore Highway in Tiruvannamalai on November 15, 2025. The shelters are strategically placed to provide commuters, particularly devotees traveling to the Arunachaleswara temple for the upcoming Karthigai Deepam festival, with safer and more comfortable waiting areas.
The opening comes after the 19.5 km stretch of the highway within Tiruvannamalai district was widened to four lanes in 2023, part of a larger 205 km project. While 24 bus stops were created during the widening, shelters were lacking, exposing commuters to the elements.
“These new shelters will provide much-needed protection from the monsoon season for all commuters, especially women and senior citizens,” said commuter B. Vasanthi. “Adequate safety measures at night should also be provided.”
The new shelters, built at a cost of ₹1.35 crore, are equipped with several modern amenities, including seating, LED lighting, digital displays showing bus numbers and routes, CCTV cameras for security, and a complaint box. The facilities will be maintained by the Tiruvannamalai Corporation and village panchayats along the route.
Minister for Public Works and Highways E.V. Velu inaugurated the bus shelters in the presence of Deputy Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, K. Pitchandi, and Tiruvannamalai MP C.N. Annadurai.
The widened road, which sees an average of 40,000 vehicles daily, features a 15-meter carriageway, a 1.2-meter median, 1.5-meter storm water drains, LED streetlights, tiled footpaths, rainwater harvesting systems, and native trees. The highway is used by buses from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka traveling to pilgrimage sites in Kancheepuram, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, and Puducherry.
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