The future of a crucial flyover project in Coimbatore, intended to ease traffic on the busy Avinashi Road, remains uncertain. This follows the Union government's rejection of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Chennai Metro Rail Limited's (CMRL) metro rail plan for the city. The flyover, a five-kilometre stretch from Goldwins to Neelambur announced by Chief Minister M K Stalin with an allocation of Rs 600 crore in November 2024, now awaits a critical clearance.
The Central Hurdle: CMRL's No Objection Certificate
While many believed the rejection of the metro's DPR would clear the path for the flyover, officials reveal a significant obstacle remains. A senior official from the State Highways Department stated that a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from CMRL is mandatory before commencing flyover work. The reason cited is that CMRL may still have future plans for a metro rail corridor on Avinashi Road and could approach the Union government with a revised proposal.
CMRL had previously suggested a unique integration model to the highways department. They proposed constructing the flyover's pillars at the centre of the road, with the metro rail operating on the upper deck and vehicular traffic flowing on the lower deck. This potential for future infrastructure conflict has made CMRL's approval indispensable for the flyover project to proceed.
Project Specifications and Existing Clearances
The State Highways Department's Special Projects Wing has already secured one key clearance. They have obtained an NOC from the Airport Authority of India (AAI) for the proposed structure. According to Samuthirakani, Divisional Engineer (Special Projects), the plan involves constructing a flyover with a height of 13 metres, complemented by streetlight poles standing 9 metres tall.
"While seeking the NOC from AAI, it was mentioned that the total height would reach 22-23 metres. After detailed consideration, the AAI gave the go-ahead for the project," Samuthirakani explained. This clearance was vital given the project's proximity to flight paths and height restrictions enforced near airports.
Public Criticism and Calls for Action
The delay has drawn criticism from civic activists. K Kathirmathiyon, Secretary of the NGO Coimbatore Consumer Cause, has blamed the State Highways Department for inaction. He argues that the department is using CMRL's potential plans as an excuse, even a year after the Chief Minister's announcement.
Kathirmathiyon pointed to a precedent where flyover projects on Trichy Road, Avinashi Road, and at Ukkadam were executed by state and national highways authorities despite CMRL's objections about metro route conflicts. "Had it not been for the stand taken by the previous state government, flyover projects in these three areas wouldn't have materialized. These projects were executed without obtaining an NOC from CMRL," he stated. He urges the highways officials to move forward with the Goldwins-Neelambur flyover project without further delay, rather than waiting indefinitely for CMRL's green signal.
The standoff highlights the complex challenges of urban planning, where the overlapping ambitions of different infrastructure agencies can lead to prolonged delays, leaving commuters waiting for much-needed relief.
