Coimbatore Metro to have four corridors with 136 kilometres network

Coimbatore, India (Urban Transport News): The officials from Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has recently held a meeting with the state highways department after the feasibility study for the Coimbatore metro rail project suggested a corridor through the Ukkadam-Sungam Bypass. The state highway department officials have raised their objections on the proposed extension of the flyover and suggested to turn the flyover at Ukkadam-Sungam junction to form an elevated loop at the place where the Ukkadam bus stand is located before getting down at Ukkadam-Sungam Bypass.

A senior official from the department said, “We had submitted the proposal to the state government and are waiting for the nod.” As per the report submitted by the private consultancy firm Systra after conducting a feasibility study, the Coimbatore metro rail project will be implemented in four corridors covering a total network length of 136 km. These four proposed metro corridors are-

• From Karanampettai on Trichy Road to Thaneerpandal on Thadagam Road (42 km)
• From Kaniyur to Ukkadam via Avinashi Road (26 km)
• From Pilichi to Ukkadam via Mettupalayam Road (24 km)
• From Ganeshapuram to Karunya Nagar via Sathy Road (44 km)

“As a ground-level corridor connecting Karanampetti and Thaneerpandal through Ukkadam-Sungam Bypass was suggested, it might affect the proposed design of the flyover project. Also, considering the vehicle flow, it is difficult to provide the 10 meters required to lay the railway track on the road,” said the state highway department official.

The state highway department officials said that talks are being held with CMRL officials to find a solution before proceeding with the Coimbatore metro rail project. “During the first meeting held a week ago, the highways department had suggested to form the corridor through Lanka Corner instead of passing it through Ukkadam-Sungam Bypass. We will meet again in a week", they said. As the 1.97-km-long Ukkadam Flyover project recently commenced, hence the department had proposed to make changes on both sides of the flyover – towards Athupalam and Town Hall.

It was also proposed to extend the flyover for another 600 meters up to Athupalam junction. According to plan, a 300-meter-long loop will be constructed between Palakkad and Pollachi Road and on the other side, it was proposed to cut off the flyover by 244 meters from Naaz Theatre and form an elevated loop before connecting the roads towards Sungam and Town Hall.

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