There is a demand to expedite works for a flyover at Saravanampatti junction in Coimbatore.
| Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO SIVA SARAVANAN S
The Saravanampatti junction in Coimbatore city requires a flyover to manage traffic challenges, rather than mere improvements to the existing road, said K. Kathirmathiyon, secretary of the Coimbatore Consumer Cause.In a letter to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, he said the Ministry sanctioned construction of a flyover with junction improvements at the Saravanampatti junction at ₹80.48 crore, as it was recognised as a black spot under the Annual Plan 2021-2022.The project was intended to eliminate a major accident-prone location and improve traffic flow at the busy Kalapatti Road and Thudiyalur Road Junctions.However, citing the proposed Coimbatore Metro Rail alignment, officials of the National Highways wing of the State Highways Department dropped the flyover proposal later and obtained sanction for an at-grade junction improvement to be taken up at about ₹12 crore.This plan was prepared without consulting even the District Road Safety Committee, the DISHA Committee, public representatives, or the public, said Mr Kathirmathiyon.The road was later entrusted with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and it was learnt that the sanctioned at-grade proposal was being pursued. In this connection, the Consumer organisation said the very basis for dropping the flyover no longer existed. The Coimbatore Metro Rail proposal, which was cited as the reason for changing the flyover plan, was rejected by the Government of India in November 2025, and the revised proposal submitted by the State Government was again rejected in July 2026.The original plan for a flyover at the junction was technically justified and the Ministry had approved it.The Coimbatore District Road Safety Committee specifically recommended construction of the flyover. The issue was also discussed in the DISHA Committee meeting and the Coimbatore MP and other members emphasised on the need for a flyover.Similar at-grade improvements carried out at the Thudiyalur Junction on NH-67 (Mettupalayam Road) had not solved the traffic problem.Hence, the Ministry should direct the NHAI to de-scope the sanctioned at-grade junction improvement proposal and restore the originally approved flyover plan, he added. Published - July 28, 2026 08:01 pm IST
