COIMBATORE: Residents and motorists have demanded that the state govt speed up flyover work at the Saibaba Colony junction on the Mettupalayam Road in the city.
Construction of the 1.2km, four-lane flyover at Saibaba Colony junction began in mid-2024. The “delay” in the completion of the Rs 75crore project -- from Alagesan Road to the Mettupalayam Road (MTP Road) bus terminus near Eru Company -- has raised concerns among the public and motorists, as the service road is not sufficient to handle daily traffic.
D Aravind Kumar of Urumandampalayam, who travels on this road three days a week, said, “It takes more than half an hour to cross this stretch. The stretch towards Mettupalayam has been widened recently, and so the flow is better. However, while entering the city from the Mettupalayam Road, the stretch is very congested. After the Saibaba police station, there is a private hospital. And then there is the Anna market. So pedestrian movement is very high in this region. There is no proper pavement for pedestrians. Because of all this, it takes more than half an hour to cross the 1.2km stretch.”
Residents and commuters have voiced frustration over what they said prolonged work, citing heavier traffic congestion, longer travel times, and safety risks near barricaded sections and active work zones.
However, a highways department official said the scheduled deadline for completion of the project is August 2026. “But we are planning to finish it earlier,” the official said.
According to the official, installation of a high-tension transmission tower in Saibaba Colony, a key step in the flyover project, has begun and will take another 10 to 15 days to complete. After this, powerline diversion work will take around 45 days. The wires will be placed at a height of 11 metres above the flyover so that all types of vehicles can move without hindrance. “Work on fixing two decks and a ramp is pending, which is expected to be completed before the end of April,” he added.
Tysion Prabhu is a senior correspondent with The Times of India i...
Read MoreTysion Prabhu is a senior correspondent with The Times of India in Coimbatore. As a crime reporter, he covers crime trends, defence, and the railways. He holds a master’s degree in journalism from PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore. In addition to crime reporting, he also writes on sports and has a background as a professional cricket player.
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