Works for Ukkadam flyover to start soon.

After an announcement by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in 2011-2012, the State Government last month gave administrative sanction for construction of flyover at Athupalam-Ukkadam junction and had sanctioned Rs. 121.82 crore for the same.

It had sanctioned Rs. 1 crore in 2012 for preparation of a detailed project report for the flyover and the western bypass road.

Later, in 2015, the government gave administrative sanction for acquisition of land and shifting of utilities at a cost of Rs. 88.61 crore.

On March 4 this year, the government has given administrative sanction for construction of the first level of the two-level flyover at a cost of Rs. 121.82 crore, though the demand was for Rs. 168 crore.

Pending approval of the legislature, the expenditure will be initially by drawal of an advance from the contingency fund, according to a communication from the government last month.

According to K. Kathirmathiyon, secretary of Coimbatore Consumer Cause, the government had sanctioned funds for land acquisition last year. But, there does not seem to be any progress on that front so far.

And, yet the government has given funds now for construction of the flyover. Such projects require budgetary support. Though the project will ease traffic congestion in Ukkadam area and it is a necessity, this was not given funds in the budget this year too.

“I doubt if works can be started soon as there is no progress in land acquisition. If land is required only for service road, works could have started last year itself when funds for allocated for land acquisition. Contingency funds should be used only for the specific purpose of contingency and not otherwise,” he says.

THE HINDU