The Hindu               18.12.2013

Infrastructure projects set to take off in Coimbatore

Three major projects that are among the much-awaited infrastructure development proposals for the city are expected to start taking shape next year.

An official of the State Highways Department here told The Hindu on Tuesday that the design and project cost have been finalised for the Gandhipuram flyover. The detailed project report, estimate and design details are ready.

It is proposed to construct a three-tier (ground plus two-tier) flyover at a total cost of about Rs. 160 crore. Bids will be invited soon for the project.

The flyover was mooted in 2010 and works were to commence last year. However, in an effort to reduce the number of buildings that will be affected by the project, the proposal went back to the design stage and it was planned to have a two-tier flyover. Now, it has been finalised to have a three-tier flyover, the official said.

K. Kathirmathiyon, secretary of Coimbatore Consumer Cause, says the flyover should have been inaugurated in February this year.

However, the proposal has been revised several times and at least now it should be completed. Any further delay will defeat the purpose of the project.

Another flyover planned in the city is at Ukkadam. The detailed project report and design are ready and in the first phase only land acquisition and shifting of utility lines will be taken up. This is expected to cost a little more than Rs. 45 crore and a proposal has been sent to the State Government for this. Only after completing the first phase would the construction works start, the official said.

On the western bypass, the official said that a proposal was finalised and submitted to the District Road Safety-cum-Traffic Advisory Committee two months ago. The project envisages a 32-km road from Madukkarai to Narasimhanaikenpalayam. After getting the committee’s approval, the land plan schedule will be prepared and administrative sanction will be sought for land acquisition.