Latest news with #StateHighwaysDepartment
New Indian Express
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- New Indian Express
U-turn replaces traffic signal at Pal Company Junction in Coimbatore
COIMBATORE: A U-turn system has replaced the lone traffic signal at the Pal Company Junction on the Thadagam-Anaikatti Road. The road safety wing of the State Highways Department and the city's traffic police removed the traffic signal pole as part of a broader citywide initiative to streamline traffic at key intersections. The decision follows months of deliberation and public feedback, which pointed to persistent traffic snarls at the junction, especially during peak hours. The Pal Company signal, introduced during the post-COVID period to manage growing traffic volumes, ironically ended up contributing to bottlenecks rather than resolving them. Now, the newly introduced U-turn system — two turning points located approximately 100 metres apart from the former signal spot — is expected to ease vehicle movement significantly. A trial run is currently underway to monitor the impact on real-time traffic flow. Speaking to TNIE, G Manuneethi, Divisional Engineer of the State Highways Department (Road Safety), Coimbatore Division, said, "The traffic signal at the Pal Company Junction has finally been removed. We have introduced two U-turns on either side of the junction. The trial began today (Sunday), and we expect to understand the full benefits when peak-hour traffic resumes on Monday." This change is part of a larger strategy implemented by the district road safety committee, which is chaired by the Coimbatore District Collector. Over the past several months, the committee has been actively identifying problematic intersections where signals have proven ineffective or unnecessary. So far, the team has removed traffic signals at 34 junctions across the city, replacing them with U-turn systems or roundabouts. Departments including the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC), the State Highways Department, and the city's traffic police have been coordinating closely to carry out these changes, aimed at making commuting smoother and safer for the public. Officials say the removal of the traffic signal has not been done arbitrarily but based on careful study of traffic patterns, road width, vehicle density, and commuter feedback. With the removal of signals and introduction of U-turns proving effective in several parts of the city, the district administration hopes to expand this model to more locations in the coming months.
New Indian Express
21-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Thanneerpandal Rail Overbridge work to begin soon in Coimbatore
COIMBATORE: After nearly two decades, residents of Vilankurichi, Thanneerpandal, Peelamedu, Hopes and surrounding areas can finally look forward to improved connectivity. The construction of the much-delayed Thanneerpandal Rail Overbridge (ROB) project is all set to begin within the next couple of weeks, according to senior officials from the Coimbatore division of the State Highways Department. Survey work for the service road began earlier this week at the Thanneerpandal junction, near Tidel Park. Once completed, the ROB is expected to significantly ease congestion and reduce travel time for commuters between Hopes College junction on Avinashi Road and areas like Vilankurichi and Sathy Road. The journey of the project has been a long one. The initial Government Order (GO 210) for the construction of the flyover across LC Gate No 6 was issued as far back as October 2006, with an administrative sanction of Rs 12.65 crore. The planned structure is set to span 549.14 metres in length and 8.5 metres in width, supported by 15 pillars, with eight on the southern side and seven on the northern side of the railway track, along with approach and service roads.
New Indian Express
19-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
FOB construction on Avinashi Road put on hold by Coimbatore Metro Rail Project
COIMBATORE: Even as the much-anticipated Avinashi Road elevated corridor nears completion, concerns over pedestrian safety remain unresolved, with no foot overbridges (FOBs) yet constructed on the busy stretch. Despite earlier announcements and joint inspections by the top brass, officials have put the proposed FOB works on hold owing to the upcoming Coimbatore Metro Rail Project to be built by the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL). The Avinashi Road Elevated Expressway, a flagship infrastructure project under the State Highways Department's Special Projects Wing, is being constructed at a cost of Rs 1,621.30 crore. Officially sanctioned in August 2020 and initiated on December 3 the same year, the flyover spans 10.1 km in length and 17.25 metres in width, making it the longest of its kind in Tamil Nadu. It runs from Uppilipalayam near the police quarters to Goldwins near Chinniyampalayam on the Avinashi Road. Several months ago, senior officials from the Highways Department, Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC) commissioner, city police commissioner, and traffic police personnel jointly surveyed the stretch and identified five critical junctions where pedestrian foot overbridges were deemed necessary. The junctions include Sitra-Airport junction, Hope College junction, Codissia-CIT College junction, Peelamedu junction, and Lakshmi Mills junction. However, despite these preliminary steps and repeated public appeals for safer pedestrian crossings, no groundwork has begun. With the flyover slated for completion by the end of August, many commuters and residents are voicing concern over the lack of basic infrastructure to support pedestrian movement below the elevated corridor.
The Hindu
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
NGT seeks clarity from T.N. govt. on sand dumping along the Adyar near Thiru. Vi. Ka. Bridge's eastern side
The Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal has directed the Water Resources Department (WRD) and the State Highways Department to submit separate reports explaining the reasons behind sand dumping along the northern bank of the Adyar near the eastern side of Thiru. Vi. Ka. Bridge. The direction was issued during a recent hearing in a case filed by the Ramaniyam Towers Residents' Association. The matter was originally filed in the Madras High Court as a writ petition and was later transferred to the Bench. The residents' association has alleged that sand was being dumped under the pretext of strengthening the river bund, but in reality, it was being done to facilitate the construction of a proposed link road. The road is meant to connect Greenways Road with Durgabhai Deshmukh Road via the Tamil Nadu Music College campus. While the State government claims that the road is essential for easing traffic congestion in the area, the applicant argues that a portion of the proposed route falls within a Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), where construction is restricted to protect the environment. The Bench, comprising Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and expert member Satyagopal Korlapati, said the Madras High Court had earlier ordered status quo on the CRZ stretch, and this order would continue to remain in effect. At the same time, it clarified that the government was free to carry on with other parts of the road project that did not fall within the CRZ or on the disputed riverbank area. The Bench also asked the State Highways Department to examine the possibility of realigning the road through the premises of Dr. M.G.R. Janaki College of Arts and Science. It observed that if the road was built entirely within the college compound, the residents would likely have no further objections. The WRD has also been asked to clearly state whether the sand dumping was being done solely for strengthening the river bund or if it also serves the road construction. Until this is explained, no work can be carried out on the affected stretch along the river, the Bench added, and posted the matter for further hearing on July 30.
New Indian Express
13-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Widening of Sathyamangalam Road in Coimbatore to start soon
COIMBATORE: After years of planning and delays, the much-anticipated widening of the Sathyamangalam Road in Coimbatore is finally set to take off in the coming weeks. In the first phase, the National Highways wing of the State Highways Department will widen a four-kilometre stretch from Kappi Kadai bus stop to Kurumbapalayam on Sathy Road at an estimated cost of Rs 40 crore. Speaking to TNIE, a senior highway department official said that the contract for the work has already been awarded, and a work order will be issued to the contractor shortly. "The construction work is expected to commence within a month," he said. The larger plan involves widening the entire 96-km-long Sathy Road, from Kurumbapalayam to Kakanallah on the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border. Initially spearheaded by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the project was later handed over to the National Highways wing of the State Highways Department's Coimbatore division in 2022. In May 2023, the Union Government sanctionedRs 639.18 cr for acquiring approximately 650 acres necessary for the expansion. However, the land acquisition (LA) process hit a roadblock due to administrative delays, particularly the absence of a special team led by a dedicated District Revenue Officer (DRO) for the project work. The acquisition work picked up momentum with the formation of the team around six months ago. Despite the progress, the project has drawn strong opposition from farmers and industrialists, particularly in the Annur region. The release of the land acquisition notification on February 26, 2025, triggered widespread anxiety among property owners, who fear the loss of fertile agricultural land, residential plots, and commercial establishments. Environmental activists and local stakeholders have called for alternative solutions, including widening the existing NH 948 or constructing bypass roads through less populated areas. They have also demanded greater transparency from NH officials on compensation packages, environmental assessments, and rehabilitation plans. While these concerns remain unresolved, the highway department has chosen to begin work on the Kappi Kadai-Kurumbapalayam stretch, where no land acquisition is required.
