Motorists continue to face risks while using Periyanaickenpalayam flyover in Coimbatore; Highways Department awaits Central Govt. funds

The Highways Department in Coimbatore awaits Rs. 8 cr funds from Central government to rectify problems in Periyanaickenpalayam flyover even as motorits face risks due to faulty design

A flyover at Periyanaickenpalayam in Coimbatore district, constructed at ₹115.56 crores and inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year, remains risky to motorists because of faulty design.

Officials of the National Highways wing of the State Highways Department told The Hindu that they submitted an estimate for almost ₹8 crore to the Central Government to address design flaws and enhance infrastructure. The estimate is expected to be approved soon, they said.

However, K. Kathirmathiyon, secretary of Coimbatore Consumer Cause, has written to the Central government, demanding action on officials who approved the inauguration of the flyover despite its safety risks.

He pointed out that vehicles proceeding from Coimbatore city towards Mettupalayam on the service road will enter the main road immediately at the ‘0” point of the flyover down ramp by turning right. It is almost impossible for vehicles, especially buses, to negotiate the curve. This was not noticed by senior officials of the Department who inspected the flyover before its inauguration.

Even after almost a year of inauguration, this fault remains unrectified, putting road users at risk.

“When the Indian Road Congress (IRC) norms for merging the service road with the main road of the flyover is very clear, why was it totally ignored?...Did any official visit the location before issuing the “safety” certificate?” he asked.

The NH officials recently sent a proposal to the Centre to acquire land for the service road claiming it as “widening” of service road. On the ground, there is no service road at all and officials from the regional office of the Ministry of Road Transport, Chennai, are aware of this, he alleged.