Flyover work under way at Melamadai junction in Madurai.
| Photo Credit:
R. ASHOK
The urbanisation projects, like any major cities in Tamil Nadu, have started pacing up in Madurai to make it a suitable living space for residents through robust infrastructure upgrades, particularly in road networks, water supply and waste management.
Though delayed, the projects are to be welcomed for reasons well known to the residents of the city who have taken up the tedious task of learning to adjust their life and routine to the changing traffic routes, increasing vehicle counts, mounting traffic in peak hours, suffocating pollution, among others.
The development projects like flyover construction which are nearing completion are to provide a respite to the people from the congested traffic steered by inadequate infrastructure and rapid urbanisation.
The two main flyover construction works – Goripalayam flyover and Melamadai junction flyover – are believed to change the outlook of how the city manages its traffic and infrastructure.
Officials of the Highways Department who oversee the two projects are confident that the two flyovers are more than just another regular construction work.
Pointing out the idea behind placing roundabouts in three key junctions – Anna Bus Stand junction, Aavin junction and Melamadai junction – an official said, “When traffic signals are replaced with the roundabouts, piling up of vehicles in the junctions could be largely reduced and the vehicle flow could also be maintained.”
The idea and design, already under implementation in metropolitan cities like New Delhi and Mumbai, have garnered significant praise and positive results in easing traffic congestion, he added.
“The model has been replicated in many cities to facilitate easy movement of heavy vehicles even during peak traffic hours. As we already have Palanganatham and Fatima College roundabouts, we have learned about their importance and necessity.”
“After the completion of flyover, vehicles entering the city from the Sivaganga ring road could within a few minutes reach Goripalayam which is the city centre,” he added.
Apart from the 950 metre flyover construction, the road stretch from Melamadai junction to Anna Bus Stand junction was also to be widened as a four-way lane road; the vehicular movement along the road would be eased, the official stated.
On further benefits of the flyover, the official explained that people from outpost, Tallakkulam, Tamukkam, areas instead of going to Mattuthavani or Othakadai to take the Tiruchi – Madurai National Highway, could easily catch up the highway directly from the Melamadai flyover, saving significant time and distance.
“By reducing the volume of traffic near Mattuthavani and nearby areas, it is found that the entire Melur road stretch could be eased of congestion,” he observed.
Similarly, the Goripalayam flyover construction taking place at a cost of ₹190 crore was another major addition to the city administration’s traffic easing effort.
According to officials, the project spanning 1,950 metre + 700 metre is to have three arms – Alwarpuram arm, Sellur arm and new bridge paralleling AV bridge.
With the completion of the project, a Highways Department official said the public would not have any need to use the road.
“The significant change in the existing road structure from Tamukkam to Anna Statue would give a major changeover to the location itself,” he added.
Adding both flyover and service roads, the public would have a total of eight lanes to make their commute smooth and quick, he stated.
“By expanding the existing eight metre road (2 lanes) into five lanes we ensure the traffic congestion would be a thing of the past for this stretch of road,” the official observed and added that Chief Minister M K Stalin’s visit to Madurai during December 7 is set to launch the masterplan and dedicate the Apollo junction flyover among other programmes.
S. Rethinavelu, president, Agro Food Chamber of Commerce and Industry, commenting on the developments, said it would come as a great relief to the public and traders of Madurai.
“The flyovers connecting NH to the city and city to market areas surrounding Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple will be giving new connectivity to the important spots in the city limit,” he added.
While the projects were long awaited, its completion coming along with the Madurai Master Plan was a great help in furthering the developments for next 20 years, Mr. Rethinavelu stated.
“If the Master Plan consists of any plans for industrial development and IT parks to increase employment in the district the infrastructure development like the flyovers would be essential to support the resulting increase in population, vehicular traffic and economic activity,” he noted.
However, along with developing the roads and flyovers, the South Bank Road of Vaigai river should also be uplifted to make the benefit holistic and sustainable by providing an alternative route for cross-city traffic, he pointed out.
Senior traffic police officials said the competition for flyover works would give them a better idea of the traffic patterns, allowing them to formulate better regulation strategies.
Since most of the traffic would move on the flyover, the service road could be made a better place for pedestrians, cyclists, hawkers, among others, they added.
But the success of road widening and infrastructure developments depends on the effective traffic enforcement of traffic regulation, controlling encroachment and ensuring strict adherence to lane discipline by all motorists, they stated.
Published – November 23, 2025 09:13 pm IST
