Consumer body to file PIL demanding construction of subways on Avinashi Road in Coimbatore city
K. Kathirmathiyon, secretary of the consumer body, said five pedestrian subways were approved across the stretch, with ₹15.47 crores earmarked for it in the sanctioned estimate of ₹1,621.30 crore flyover project. However, the revised estimate of ₹1,791.22 crores for the project had apparently excluded these essential safety provisions, without any reasonable justification.
Only a Foot over Bridge (FOB) was approved near a private educational institution because it was requested by the institution. There was no such consideration for the convenience of the general public, he said.
When the issue was taken up to the Coimbatore district Collector in 2024, he called for a Special Road Safety Committee meeting on March 1, 2024, which was attended by the City Police Commissioner and Corporation Commissioner. After a thorough discussion, the officials of the Highways Department were instructed to provide the facility for pedestrian crossings.
The Collector also sent a letter dated March 28, 2024 to the Divisional Engineer (Projects), Highways Department, instructing the Department to provide subways/FOBs with lifts. Yet, the revised estimate was sanctioned on July 12, 2024, excluding the subways.
The Indian Roads Congress (IRC) guidelines mandated construction of pedestrian infrastructures. Absence of pedestrian crossings was said to be the cause of death of more than 10 persons every month in Coimbatore. More than 238 pedestrians died in Coimbatore City alone during the past 2.5 years.
The five subways were approved and funds sanctioned too. But, the Highways Department dropped the subways and in some places, development of service road too without anyone's knowledge.
The Department should construct all five originally proposed subways (excluding the privately requested FOB) or FOBs at the locations planned initially or nearby. Any further proposal or revision in this work must be done only in consultation with public stakeholders and safety authorities. The service road provided in the original approved design was also deleted in a few places. The roads must be provided as per the original approved plan, he said.
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The Hindu
16 hours ago
- The Hindu
Consumer body to file PIL demanding construction of subways on Avinashi Road in Coimbatore city
The Coimbatore Consumer Cause will file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) demanding construction of five subways along the 10.1 km stretch of Avinashi Road in Coimbatore city as planned initially in the Avinashi Road flyover project. K. Kathirmathiyon, secretary of the consumer body, said five pedestrian subways were approved across the stretch, with ₹15.47 crores earmarked for it in the sanctioned estimate of ₹1,621.30 crore flyover project. However, the revised estimate of ₹1,791.22 crores for the project had apparently excluded these essential safety provisions, without any reasonable justification. Only a Foot over Bridge (FOB) was approved near a private educational institution because it was requested by the institution. There was no such consideration for the convenience of the general public, he said. When the issue was taken up to the Coimbatore district Collector in 2024, he called for a Special Road Safety Committee meeting on March 1, 2024, which was attended by the City Police Commissioner and Corporation Commissioner. After a thorough discussion, the officials of the Highways Department were instructed to provide the facility for pedestrian crossings. The Collector also sent a letter dated March 28, 2024 to the Divisional Engineer (Projects), Highways Department, instructing the Department to provide subways/FOBs with lifts. Yet, the revised estimate was sanctioned on July 12, 2024, excluding the subways. The Indian Roads Congress (IRC) guidelines mandated construction of pedestrian infrastructures. Absence of pedestrian crossings was said to be the cause of death of more than 10 persons every month in Coimbatore. More than 238 pedestrians died in Coimbatore City alone during the past 2.5 years. The five subways were approved and funds sanctioned too. But, the Highways Department dropped the subways and in some places, development of service road too without anyone's knowledge. The Department should construct all five originally proposed subways (excluding the privately requested FOB) or FOBs at the locations planned initially or nearby. Any further proposal or revision in this work must be done only in consultation with public stakeholders and safety authorities. The service road provided in the original approved design was also deleted in a few places. The roads must be provided as per the original approved plan, he said.
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