The newly opened Ukkadam flyover in Coimbatore, inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, is experiencing severe traffic congestion due to incomplete works, causing frustration among motorists.
Coimbatore: The much-awaited Ukkadam flyover in Coimbatore, inaugurated by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister after a six-year-long construction period, is facing unexpected challenges. Despite its grand opening, incomplete works in several areas have led to severe traffic congestion, causing inconvenience to motorists.
The ₹481 crore project, designed to ease traffic flow, is paradoxically causing extended delays. Vehicles from Kerala, Palani, Pollachi, Ramanathapuram, and local areas like Selvapuram and Oppanakara Street are stuck in long queues, with wait times extending up to two hours.
A major issue is the lack of direct access for vehicles from Kerala and Pollachi heading towards Ramanathapuram. These vehicles are forced to descend near the Ukkadam bus stand and merge with local traffic at the Ukkadam junction, creating a bottleneck. Despite efforts by the traffic police to manage the situation, the increasing volume of vehicles continues to cause significant delays.
The irony of the situation is not lost on frustrated motorists. During the inauguration, it was claimed that the flyover would reduce travel time from 30 minutes to just 7 minutes. However, commuters are now facing delays of over two hours, a stark contrast to the promised efficiency.
As the city grapples with this unexpected traffic nightmare, there's a growing demand for swift completion of the remaining works and implementation of better traffic management strategies to realize the full potential of this significant infrastructure project.