An undue delay in starting the construction of a road overbridge (RoB) at Kulithalai on the Musiri-Manapparai Highway has irked the commuters.The highway, which caters to the commuters travelling between Kulithalai in Karur district and Manapparai in Tiruchi district, was not a busy road until 10 years ago. It has turned out to be one of the busiest roads in the sector thanks to the rapid increase in the number of vehicles including cars and two-wheelers.The commuters have to pass through the railway crossing at Kulithalai. However, the manned railway gate, which is frequently closed to enable the passage of trains running between Tiruchi and Karur section, has emerged as a headache for the commuters. They face immense difficulty to pass the level crossing whenever the gate is closed.According to local residents, on average at least 200 cars, buses, and lorries line up on both sides when the railway gate is closed. It takes at least 30 minutes to 40 minutes for them to clear from the spot after the opening of the gate. They have to wait patiently to cross the railway gate. It is quite common to see traffic chaos after the gate is opened as cars and two-wheelers compete with one another to overtake.It often leads to traffic jams on the busy road. There were instances, where ambulances carrying patients, caught in the traffic jam.Aimed at solving the issue, the State Highways and the Southern Railway came up with a proposal to build a RoB at the level crossing. A foundation stone was laid about two years ago to build the RoB at an estimate of ₹34 crore. However, construction is yet to be started.Sources said that the Southern Railway had allotted funds for the project. However, the State government is yet to complete the formalities.“The project should be taken up on a priority as we undergo untold sufferings due to the frequent closures of the railway gate. The project should have been completed now. However, the construction is yet to be started. There is a need for better coordination between the departments of State and Central governments,” says M. Rajagopal, a resident of Kulithalai. Published - June 09, 2026 07:52 pm IST