Singanallur flyover remains a non-starter in Coimbatore city

A flyover across the Singanallur junction in Coimbatore city remains a non-starter, with the State Highways Department now waiting for the approval of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

Official sources said the NH wing of the State Highways Department submitted a proposal about three months ago to the Union Ministry with revised estimate of ₹170 crore. It has also replied to the queries raised by the Union Ministry, they said.

The flyover, planned more than five years ago, was to be constructed at ₹110 crore and the Central government had approved the project. However, construction works were not started as there were plans to have a metro rail project on Trichy Road.

When the metro rail alignments were confirmed for Avinashi Road and Sathyamangalam Road, the State Highways Department called for bids to construct the Singanallur flyover. But, the cost was kept at ₹110 crore. With bidders not finalised for the initial cost, the Department revised the estimate to ₹170 crore and submitted the project again for the Centre’s approval.

K. Kathirmathiyon, secretary of Coimbatore Consumer Cause, said the State government should not delay projects that are approved and funds sanctioned by the Central government. Coimbatore has lost quite a few infrastructure projects because of such delays. When the Central government sanctions funds for a particular infrastructure project, it should be implemented immediately, he said.