Motorists are demanding immediate resurfacing of a heavily potholed service lane on the Vellore–Ranipet border that has gone unrepaired for months after the opening of a new underpass in February. The stretch has deteriorated into a series of craters, slowing traffic and damaging vehicles during peak hours.

The National Highways Authority of India attributes the delay to a sustained rise in bitumen costs driven by fluctuations in global markets. Officials say budget realignments are required before civil works can resume along the corridor.

No firm date for repairs has been issued, and NHAI has not indicated when procurement will restart. The authority will review pricing and scope once market inputs stabilize, leaving commuters to endure the route in its present state for the near term.