Diversion of vehicles through Kulamangalam Road can reduce congestion in core city areas
All that the police need to do is ask Corporation officials to make the dug-up stretch of Kulamangalam Road temporarily motorable for easing traffic movement on arterial roads of the city during the Chithirai festival.
Ever since the daily procession of deities around Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple started, Madurai City Traffic Police are closing Masi Streets from time to time to facilitate the procession.
The wider Masi Streets used to take a good part of the core city's traffic movement along the streets and lanes around the temple.
However, prohibition of vehicle movement on the Masi Streets during the evenings till night is causing heavy traffic congestion on Veli Streets, especially East and North Veli Streets, leading to traffic snarls during peak hours.
This often leads to piling up of vehicles from Goripalayam junction up to Sethupathi Higher Secondary School and from Simmakkal up to Palam Station Road junction and Tallakulam.
Earlier, during the festival time, the traffic police used to divert the vehicles bound to northern parts of the city like Alagarkoil Road, New Natham Road and Rathinasamy Nadar Street through Kulamangalam Road and 60 Feet Road. However, since the work of constructing the 290-metre-long canal was under way on Kulamangalam Road, vehicle movement was diverted away from this road.
Since, the physical work of the canal is over, temporary restoration of the road could help divert a good number of vehicles, including light vehicles, during the festival. This road will be of greater help during the two-day procession of Lord Kallazhagar alternating on New Natham Road and Alagarkoil Road.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
31-07-2025
- The Hindu
GCDA plans to transfer KK Road to Kochi Corporation after restoration work
The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) is looking to offload Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road (KK Road), the only road under its ownership, by transferring it to the Kochi Corporation once the latest round of restoration work is over. Ever since its commissioning in 2004, the 3.20-km-long, 22-metre-wide 4-lane road has been one of the most-used arterial roads in the city connecting two major junctions – Kaloor and Kadavanthra – while also providing one of the most congestion-free routes between Vyttila and Kaloor. Most long-distance buses connecting the city to the south and southeast regions take this road to reach the Kaloor bus stand. Of late, KK Road has been in a sorry state with potholes marking large stretches. 'We have tendered restoration work worth ₹2 crore, which will get under way as soon as the rain relents somewhat. Once the work is over, consultations will be held with the Corporation authorities on the potential transfer,' said GCDA sources. The GCDA, it is being pointed out, has no separate allocation for the maintenance of roads, and hence its periodic repairs have been a significant drain on the authority's revenue. While the GCDA can undertake minor repair works, such as filling potholes, large-scale restoration works and resurfacing are not feasible, unlike the Corporation, which has a separate allocation for road maintenance. Mayor M. Anilkumar welcomed the proposal for the transfer of the road to the Corporation after the latest restoration work. 'As per the Town Planning Act, the development authorities have no authority to draw up development schemes on their own but can do so only on a resolution passed by the local body concerned. Even then, the project has to be restored with the local body once it is completed. In the case, of KK Road, the Corporation has not insisted on that considering its good relations with the GCDA,' he said. Notwithstanding its popularity among motorists and other sections of users since its commissioning, the road has drawn its share of flak over the years. For instance, the road was inaugurated multiple times. Initially, on completion of the two-lane road, and then again after it was widened as a four-lane road. In between, it remained almost abandoned for a couple of years after being dug up for a drinking water project.
The Hindu
29-07-2025
- The Hindu
Coimbatore Corporation's plan for 20 EV charging stations sees no progress
More than one year has passed since the Coimbatore Corporation announced a ₹20-crore initiative to establish 20 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the city, but the project remains stalled. The only unit set up near VOC Park in June 2024 remains non-operational. Announced in April 2023, the project identified sites in R.S. Puram, Kalapatti, Valankulam, Avinashi Road, Gandhipuram Cross Cut Road, Tidel Park, Periyakulam, Thudiyalur, Saravanampatti, and near Brookefields. Tata Power was engaged to install and operate the stations, which were intended to offer round-the-clock fast-charging services with provisions for remote monitoring and digital payments. However, no further progress has been recorded at the remaining locations. 'Public charging infrastructure is rare in and around Coimbatore. Most users rely on home charging. Even where public facilities exist, fast-charging is essential for practical use,' said S. Ambika, an EV user. Barathan Kuppusamy, Chief Executive Officer of Ozotec Automobiles, said that range anxiety remains a significant barrier to adoption. 'Charging stations must be as widespread as fuel outlets. Much of the existing infrastructure is based on European specifications; instead, it should be designed to meet the custom needs of Indian cities. Implementation is further constrained by grid-related challenges such as high-tension line clearance, the need for dedicated feeders, and electricity board-associated costs.' Between January 2024 and July 2025, 6,076 electric two-wheelers and 994 electric cars were registered under the jurisdiction of the Coimbatore Central and West Regional Transport Offices. Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran said the project did not take off due to administrative constraints. 'Several firms expressed interest. We have now shortlisted ten locations, including Semmozhi Poonga and D.B. Road parking. A fresh tender will be floated shortly. The Corporation will provide the land, and the selected bidder will handle the infrastructure and operations.'
The Hindu
28-07-2025
- The Hindu
EVs and CNG vehicles to replace old garbage fleet in Coimbatore
Coimbatore Corporation has initiated the gradual replacement of its conventional waste collection vehicles with electric and compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered alternatives. This transition is part of the civic body's broader strategy to modernise solid waste management operations and reduce vehicular emissions across the city. A total of 25 electric vehicles (EVs) and 25 CNG vehicles have been procured by the Corporation. Of these, 15 EVs have recently been inducted into service, and the remaining units are expected to be deployed within the next month. According to officials, the new EVs offer an extended operational range of 1,000 to 1,200 hours per full charge and are capable of transporting up to 1.5 tonnes of waste, more than double the 800-kg capacity of the existing vehicles. 'The vehicles require seven to eight hours for a complete charge. With the increased load capacity, we are able to carry out waste removal more efficiently,' a senior Corporation official said. In parallel, the Corporation is in the planning stage of establishing a 250 metric tonne capacity bio-CNG plant at the Vellalore dump yard. 'If the project materialises, we intend to process segregated organic waste to generate bio-CNG. We are also considering applicable subsidies under waste-to-energy schemes,' the official added. The Corporation currently operates 110 three-wheeled vehicles and 815 waste collection trucks. Around 100 of these are awaiting fitness certification, and vehicles over 15 years old are being phased out. 'We are planning to procure an additional 250 vehicles as part of our fleet renewal programme. These will gradually replace ageing vehicles and help improve operational efficiency,' the official said.
