Poor condition of the road to Orathur GH in Nagapattinam affects patients, visitors

The Government Medical College and Hospital in Orathur in Nagapattinam
| Photo Credit: Special arrangement

Patients and visitors continue to face severe difficulties because of the poor condition of the road leading to the District Medical College and Government Hospital in Orathur from the East Coast Road (ECR). Damaged road conditions had been causing hardship, particularly for ambulances transporting critical patients.

Official sources said that a 3.1 km road from Papakoil on the East Coast Road, estimated at a cost of ₹26 crore, is currently under construction and is expected to be completed by May.

Nagapattinam Town Secretary of AIADMK Thanga Kathiravan criticised the delay in road construction. He told The Hindu that the existing damaged road had several sharp curves, making it difficult for ambulances to navigate smoothly. “The delay in construction is badly affecting patients. We demand speedy completion of the road as well as the installation of street lights along the route. This is the only district-level government hospital serving people from remote villages, and such basic infrastructure is essential,” he said.

Nagapattinam District Consumer Protection and Passenger Association Secretary Aravind Kumar G., also urged authorities to expedite the project. He pointed out that the relocation of the Government Hospital from the town to a remote location nearly 11 km away has already posed challenges to residents. “Without essential infrastructure such as proper roads and street lights, the poor will suffer the most,” he emphasized.

Meanwhile, officials from the State Highways Department said that a new 10-metre-wide road is under construction. “There are some issues due to encroachments, but we are committed to completing the project at the earliest,” an official said.