Latest news with #NationalHighwayswing
New Indian Express
05-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Centre's nod sought for Singanallur flyover in Coimbatore
COIMBATORE: After years of delays and design revisions, the long-pending flyover project at Singanallur junction on Tiruchy Road in Coimbatore is finally inching forward. The National Highways wing of the State Highways Department has submitted a revised estimate of Rs 180 crore to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, seeking approval and funding to kickstart construction. The Singanallur junction, a notorious traffic bottleneck, was one of three critical intersections in the city identified as 'black spots' due to frequent snarls and accidents. Along with Saravanampatti and Saibaba Colony, it was shortlisted for flyover construction to decongest key arterial roads and streamline vehicle movement in the rapidly growing city. The initial proposal, approved back in 2022, pegged the project cost at Rs 110.8 cr. However, it ran into repeated hurdles — first due to overlapping plans with the proposed Metro Rail project and later because of a lack of bidders. The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) had recommended shelving the flyover works at all three locations, citing that the alignments clashed with routes planned for the upcoming metro. The suggestion triggered public backlash, with residents and activists demanding that road infrastructure projects not be sacrificed for plans still on paper. In response to public pressure, the state government decided to retain the flyover projects at Singanallur and Saibaba Colony, as the first phase of the Metro is planned along the Sathyamangalam and Avinashi roads, not Tiruchy Road. Tenders were issued for both projects, but while the Saibaba Colony flyover gained traction, the Singanallur flyover failed to attract credible bidders.
New Indian Express
30-04-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Motorists demand expedited construction of Coimbatore's Saibaba Colony flyover
COIMBATORE: With traffic snarls worsening on Mettupalayam Road, especially near Saibaba Colony junction, commuters are growing frustrated over the slow progress of the ongoing flyover construction. Many have urged the Highways Department to expedite the project to ease congestion on one of Coimbatore's busiest arterial roads. The flyover, being constructed by the National Highways wing of the State Highways Department, begins at Alagesan Road and ends near the MTP Road Bus Terminus at Eru Company. It is being built at an estimated cost of Rs 75 crore. Though work began on September 19 last year, the project has faced numerous roadblocks and only 35% of the construction has been completed so far. With the official deadline set for August 2026, commuters fear that delays could stretch this further. UGD pipelines and high tension electricity cables on the road have not been shifted yet by respective departments, thereby delaying progress, sources said. Motorists say traffic congestion, particularly during peak hours, has made commuting daunting. "It is a nightmare to cross this stretch in peak hours," said R Chandhini, an office-goer. "What used to be a 10-minute drive now takes 40 minutes. We're not against development, but the pace of work is affecting many of us." S Thangavel, a retired government employee, shared a similar view. "The dust, diversions, and delays have made it difficult for senior citizens like me. Authorities should consider the impact of this project on people's lives and look to speed up construction." People pointed out that after going through hardship during construction of Kavundampalayam and GN Mills flyovers on Mettupalayam Road, they have been once again left to commute through congested sections due to Saibaba Colony flyover construction on the same stretch. Speaking to TNIE , a senior NH official refuted the slow progress of the project and said works are expected to be completed before the deadline. "Once the project began, we quickly constructed the piers and works are progressing in full swing. As a result, around 20 out of 23 pillars have been constructed. The remaining three will also be installed, once UGD pipelines are shifted. We have completed around 35-40% of work now and plan to finish the project by the end of this year, although the deadline is next year," the official added.
