Gandhipuram flyover: second level to be completed next year

For many roadusers who are passing through 100 feet road in Gandhipuram, the second phase of the flyover under construction creates fear.

The flyover seems to have a steep climb up as it will pass above the first level of the Gandhipuram flyover.

“It only looks high. But, it is according to norms and there will be no problem when it is opened for traffic,” said an official of the State Highways Department. The second level flyover is 1.7 km long and is a two-lane stretch coming up at a cost of ₹74 crore.

The plan is to complete it by August next year. Similar second level flyovers are coming up in places such as Salem too in the State, the official said.

K. Kathirmathiyon, secretary of Coimbatore Consumer Cause, said the normal norm adopted is 1:40 (for every one metre height raised, the flyover should be 40 metres long).

In cities, since space availability is a problem, the norm followed is 1:30. However, this second level was originally planned as an underpass.

The same plan has been adopted for a second level flyover and hence, it is steep while climbing up from 100 feet road. The Department officials cannot blamed for it now as the project is under execution.

It should have been modified at the planning stage by having more length for the flyover on 100 feet road. It could have been made better at the planning and design stage, he said.

Further, Mr. Kathirmathiyon said that the first level, which will be inaugurated on Wednesday, should be completed fully, including the widening and relaying of service roads.

For this, efforts should be taken to remove the temples on the road soon.

THE HINDU