Tiruchi city, due to its strategic location in the heart of the State, sees attracts a large floating population throughout the year.
The efforts of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Tiruchirapalli City Corporation in widening the arterial roads of the city and highways passing through it have, to a certain extent, ensured smooth flow of traffic. However, it has not helped reduce congestion in major commercial areas of the city and its thoroughfares.
The chaotic traffic at Main Guard Gate, Chinthamani, Nethaji Subhas Chandra Bose Road, Thillai Nagar, Tennur, Big Bazar Street, Palakkarai, Junction, Central Bus Stand, and Woraiyur have always been a source of concern for civic and traffic management authorities.
The pedestrians squeezed by the bourgeoning traffic are the major sufferers and the situation worsens during festival seasons.
With encroachments shrinking the already narrow roads, everyday travel in the city is turning out to be a harrowing experience.
The scores of residential apartments that have mushroomed in Thillai Nagar and Vayalur Road are complicating the situation.
One of the suggestions putforth by organisations pressing for respite from this chaotic traffic is to construct footbridges at all important points in the city. Considering the plea favourably, the corporation at its meeting held on June 24 adopted a resolution favouring construction of footbridges at four points – Main Guard Gate, Chinthamani Anna Statue, Melaputhur, and Central Bus Stand (near Anand Hotel).
The civic body should get the government’s approval as soon as possible and execute the projects without delay, a cross-section of residents say. Comparatively smaller local bodies such as Tirunelveli Corporation has set up such footbridges in Palayamkottai years ago and Tiruchirapalli City Corporation should not lag behind, says M. Senthil, a consumer activist, who regularly frequents southern districts. Meanwhile, the Tiruchi District Exnora has demanded construction of a subway near the entry main entrance of Tiruchi Railway Junction.
C. Balasubramanian, president of the body, said that such a subway can ensure the safety of pedestrians crossing the Bharathiar Road.
P. Kumar, MP, earlier had sanctioned Rs. 15 lakh for the construction of a footbridge at the Anna statue junction at Chinthamani and Rs. 5 lakh for a similar facility at Head Post Office junction.
