Coimbatore's Amman Kovil-Saravanampatti Flyover Project Shelved Indefinitely
In a significant setback for Coimbatore's traffic infrastructure, the proposed flyover connecting Amman Kovil and Saravanampatti, initially budgeted at Rs80.5 crore in March 2022, has been shelved indefinitely. The project, designed to alleviate severe traffic congestion and reduce accident rates along this critical stretch, now faces an uncertain future due to conflicts with Chennai Metro Rail Limited's (CMRL) expansion plans.
Metro Rail Alignment Conflict Forces Project Cancellation
The National Highways Wing of the State Highways Department has officially abandoned the flyover project after CMRL refused to issue a no objection certificate (NOC). The refusal stems from overlapping alignments between the proposed flyover and CMRL's planned metro route along the same corridor. This marks the second time officials have shelved the Saravanampatti flyover plans, following a similar cancellation in November 2022 alongside proposed flyovers at Saibaba Colony and Singanallur.
"The proposed 1,415-metre four-lane flyover from Amman Kovil to Saravanampatti has been shelved, as CMRL has planned a two-tier structure along the same stretch, with vehicular traffic on the first tier and metro rail on the second," confirmed a senior official from the National Highways Wing.
Alternative Rs13 Crore Road Widening Plan Proposed
In response to the shelved flyover project, officials are now considering a Rs13 crore alternative plan focused on road widening and junction improvements at Saravanampatti. This temporary measure aims to address immediate traffic congestion and safety concerns while awaiting potential future developments. A formal proposal has been submitted to the road transport and highways ministry seeking approval for these surface-level upgrades.
The official further explained the broader context: "The National Highways Authority of India is in the process of taking over the 329.4-km NH 948 stretch from Coimbatore to Bengaluru from us. NHAI may decide on the flyover and related works after the transfer."
Local Activists and Residents Express Strong Criticism
The decision to shelve the flyover in favor of junction improvements has drawn sharp criticism from local activists and residents who argue that surface-level measures will prove inadequate for long-term traffic management and safety.
K Kathirmathiyon, secretary of Coimbatore Consumer Cause and a member of the District Road Safety Committee, questioned the logic of seeking CMRL's NOC for a national highway project. "While GD Naidu, Trichy Road, Ukkadam-Aathupalam and Kavundampalayam flyovers faced metro-related objections, they were completed," he noted, highlighting previous successful projects that overcame similar hurdles.
Kathirmathiyon also pointed to the failure of the Thudiyalur Junction improvement plan, which did not reduce traffic congestion. "Flyover projects should not be dropped, as traffic continues to increase. Moreover, metro plans are yet to materialize," he emphasized.
Traffic Police and Local Residents Voice Concerns
A senior traffic police officer described the Amman Kovil-Saravanampatti stretch as experiencing heavy and worsening congestion daily. "A flyover is needed at Saravanampatti Junction to ease traffic and reduce accidents," the officer stated, underscoring the urgent need for elevated infrastructure.
Local residents echo these concerns. G Mahamani, a 61-year-old truck driver from Sivanandha Mill, reported that peak-hour traffic snarls are commonplace in the area. "Heavy congestion at the junction leads to frequent vehicle collisions. Road widening will not solve the problem. A flyover will help motorists and heavy vehicles pass through the junction safely," he asserted.
Project History and Political Involvement
The flyover project has experienced a turbulent history. After being shelved in November 2022, plans were revived in January 2023 following a stakeholder meeting chaired by former DMK minister V Senthilbalaji. However, the recent CMRL objection has once again halted progress, leaving the community frustrated with the lack of permanent infrastructure solutions.
As Coimbatore's population and vehicular traffic continue to grow, the absence of the proposed flyover raises serious questions about the city's ability to manage future transportation demands effectively. The temporary junction improvement plan, while a stopgap measure, is widely viewed as insufficient to address the root causes of congestion and safety hazards along this vital arterial route.
