Proposal to go in for a detailed study to manage traffic
Increasing number of vehicles, traffic snarls at peak hours, and congested roads are an area of concern to all and Coimbatore’s cry for a comprehensive traffic management system saw hardly any measure so far.
However, there are signs of relief for the city’s traffic problems. The Department of Housing and Urban Development has proposed a Comprehensive Traffic and Transportation Study for Coimbatore.
K. Phanindra Reddy, Secretary, Housing and Urban Development, told presspersons here on Friday that though Coimbatore had a city road plan, it was decided to go in for a detailed study that would look at improving the public transport too and options for better traffic management. “It will give a mobility plan to the city,” he said.
The terms of reference would be prepared and bids would be called in a month to identify a consultant for the study. “When we prepare the Master Plan, we should look at transportation also,” he said. The provisions for several modes of public transport would be included in it.
The expanded Coimbatore Local Planning Area proposal was with the Government. “We are trying to overcome some technicalities,” he said. The Master Plan preparation for the entire area was on. “We want to come out with the Master Plan at the earliest.”
Skywalk
Mr. Reddy said Coimbatore so far collected Rs. 41 crore under the Infrastructure and Amenities Charges and Rs. 21 crore was spent on road works.
It was now proposed to have sky walks at two locations in the city, bus terminals at Vadavalli, Perur, Periyanaickenpalayam and Madukkarai and truck terminals at Karumathampatti and Booluvampatti. Land should be identified for the truck terminals. The Coimbatore Corporation would send the proposal in a week for a bus terminus at Vadavalli. It also suggested a truck terminal at Ukkadam. However, a feasibility study would be done for this. Truck terminals were important as it would decongest the city roads, he said.
Keywords: Traffic management system, Coimbatore traffic
After the study is completed, will the Coimbatore authorities be
competent enough to carry out it's recommendations.
There were so many schemes like the JNNURM and others that the
Coimbatore authorities had difficulty to even commence.
Various political and vested interests from in and around Coimbatore
play a part in the development works of the city.
Look at even basic railway connection to Southern Tamilnadu. What is
happening with the rail conversion work? The railways could have just
left the meter gauge trains continue running till they were able to
have everything in place for the conversion work.
Existing resources are being put to waste. The Podanur railway station
platform is extended but fewer trains stop there now.
Extend the passenger trains from Mettupalayam and Erode to terminate
at Podanur. Extend passenger trains coming from the Palakkad side to
terminate at North Coimbatore. Increase the Palakkad-Erode service to
twice a day. This will ease congestion on the roads
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