Department acquiring approval for the design of the 10.6 km flyover in phases: official

The State Highways Department is awaiting administrative sanction from the State Government for the flyover project on Avinashi Road in the city.

An official of the Department told The Hindu on Saturday that the department was acquiring approval for the design of the 10.6 km flyover from Uppilipalayam in phases. The Department would send the project to the State Government for administrative sanction. The project involves land acquisition. After getting the sanction, the Department would proceed with the processes for land acquisition.

The four-lane flyover will start at Uppilipalayam and end near Kovai Medical College and Hospital.

It will have entry and exit ramps for vehicles near Anna Statute, Fun Mall junction, Hope College, and Airport junction.

“It is difficult to give the exact project cost as we do not know the amount that will be sanctioned by the Government. Since, the project involves land acquisition, it is not possible to give a schedule as to when the works will start,” the official said.

K. Kathirmathiyon, secretary of Coimbatore Consumer Cause, said it would be better if the Department commenced works after completing the land acquisition.

“It is a six-lane road now. If land is not acquired, there will be traffic problems once the works start. Since it is a main road with heavy vehicle movement, the Department should do the project in phases. The Government should also finalise the design for the flyover soon”, he said.

The Coimbatore District Road Safety Committee has suggested that the design should be in such a way that the flyover can also have Metro project at a later stage, he added.