Madurai: Following the inauguration of the new wing of the Netaji Subash Chandra Bose flyover at Goripalayam, which has significantly reduced travel time between Tamukkam and Simmakkal, commuters are now urging the state government to expedite the widening of the adjacent Panagal Road.
Flyover Inauguration and Impact
Former Chief Minister M K Stalin inaugurated the 1.3-km-long wing of the flyover connecting Tamukkam junction and Anna Salai on April 21. Designed to alleviate traffic congestion in key corridors, the flyover links major localities such as Sellur, Tallakulam, Tamukkam, Nelpettai, and Anna Nagar. Commuters and auto drivers report that the flyover has greatly reduced traffic congestion in the area.
S Sivaram, a regular commuter, noted that before the flyover was constructed, it took 30 minutes to reach Simmakkal from Tallakulam. Now, the travel time has been reduced to within 10 minutes. V Vijay, an auto rickshaw driver from Mullai Nagar, echoed this sentiment but requested the government to widen Panagal Road, which lies perpendicular to the flyover. He highlighted that the road experiences heavy traffic congestion from 8 am to 1 pm and again from 3 pm to 7 pm daily.
Suggestions for Further Improvement
Kumar T, who runs a shop near Government Rajaji Hospital, suggested that widening Panagal Road or building a bridge could provide a lasting solution to the traffic congestion. He also added that the police booth opposite the government hospital needs additional personnel during peak traffic hours to regulate traffic effectively. Auto rickshaw drivers pointed out that relatives of those who have died untimely frequently protest on the road, as the entrance to the hospital mortuary is accessed through this road, leading to severe traffic congestion on such occasions. They believe that widening the road could ease the congestion.
Official Response
A senior highway official informed TOI that work for widening Panagal Road is already underway and is expected to be completed within 45 days. Regarding the decision not to construct the planned arm of the Goripalayam flyover to Panagal Road, the official explained, 'Initially we planned for a roundabout on the flyover above the Muthuramalingathevar statue, but a study showed such a roundabout would not be able to handle traffic on the flyover in some 20 years. So, we dropped the plan and started widening the road instead.'
