The national highways wing in Tamil Nadu has initiated crucial corrective work to address a significant design flaw and blind spot on the recently inaugurated Periyanaickenpalayam flyover in Coimbatore. This move comes after a formal complaint highlighted safety risks for vehicles at the junction.
Consumer Complaint Triggers Government Action
The issue was brought to the highest levels of government earlier this year. K Kathirmathiyon, secretary of Coimbatore Consumer Cause, made a detailed representation to the Prime Minister’s Office in January 2024, outlining the dangerous design flaw. This prompted the state government to appoint an inquiry officer on September 30 to investigate the matter.
The flyover, located on NH-181 at Periyanaickenpalayam Junction on Mettupalayam Road, was a major infrastructure project. Built at a cost of Rs 115.56 crore, it was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2024. However, a critical problem emerged where the service road merges with the main road, creating a hazardous blind spot.
The Design Flaw and the ₹7.4 Crore Solution
The flaw forces vehicles travelling on the service road towards Mettupalayam to take a dangerously sharp turn to enter the flyover's down ramp. This abrupt maneuver, with limited visibility, was identified as a potential cause for accidents.
To rectify this, the state government has sanctioned Rs 7.4 crores. Officials from the NH wing have acquired a piece of land measuring 7.5 cents for Rs 1.02 crore to enable the construction of a proper merging lane. "Initially, the buildings were assumed to be encroachments, and only later was it revealed as patta land. Land acquisition procedures have been completed," stated an NH official.
Rectification Work on Fast Track
With the land now in possession, the buildings on the acquired plot have been cleared. The plan involves constructing a new service road stretch of 400 metres that will merge smoothly with the main carriageway of the flyover, eliminating the need for the sharp turn.
The highway authorities have indicated that the rectification work is on a fast track and is expected to be completed within the next two months. This corrective measure aims to ensure the safety of commuters and fulfill the intended purpose of the flyover to ease traffic flow in Coimbatore.
