City welcomes new Rail Over Bridges announced by CM

The announcement of four new rail over bridges (ROBs) in Irugur, Karamadai, Pollachi and Podanur by chief minister J Jayalalithaa has received wide-spread appreciation among commuters in the district.

The chief minister has allocated Rs 26.70 crore for the construction of a new ROB in Coimbatore-Irigur Road, while setting aside Rs 30.70 crore for a ROB on Coimbatore-Mettupalayam Road in Karamadai, Rs 20.42 crore for ROB in Pollachi-Annamali Road and Rs 22.60 for ROB on Podanur-Chettipalayam railway crossing. Construction of ROBs is fast progressing at eight locations in the district and the four newly-sanctioned projects are expected to decongest roads to a great extend.

"Coimbatore city is fast expanding its limits and adjoining towns are also developing. Vehicular traffic has increased many-fold and more ROBs are inevitable,'' said K Kathirmathiyon, secretary, Coimbatore Consumer Cause. "Most rail crossings within the city and adjacent areas are facing severe congestion during peak hours. Number of vehicles has increased and only ROBs can ensure free flow of traffic,'' he said.

"Construction of ROBs is a welcome step but its implementation depends on acquisition of land. The district administration has to work in tandem with highway authorities to evacuate settlements near railway crossings,'' said R Raveendran, honorary secretary, Residents Awareness Association of Coimbatore.

"Most of the on going ROB works inside the city and the outskirts are stopped due to problem related to land acquisition.The district administration should take active measures involving the corporation and other official bodies to execute the projects. Only if it is done, such projects would be completed on time,'' he said.

"It is necessary to build bridges at all level crossings as roads are getting congested everyday," said V Balachandran, a resident of Nanjundapuram. Motorists have to wait long hours when gates are closed for passing trains, he said.

But the government has to ensure the works are completed at the earliest. Citing the example of rail overbridge at Nanjundapuram, he said the work is moving at a snail's pace for the past two years.

"People are suffering the most due to this. The delay is always followed by excuses. The officials should ensure that the project is well planned and executed," he said adding that the past experience has been bad for the people and the administration should ensure that it is not repeated again.