Singanallur Flyover in Coimbatore Stalled, Awaits Centre’s Clearance

The long-overdue flyover at Singanallur junction in Coimbatore has been put on hold due to the State Highways Department awaiting the final approval from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

The project was sanctioned over five years ago at ₹110 crore to relieve the severe traffic congestion at one of the busiest intersections of the city. However, with coordination among multiple agencies due to proposed metro rail plans, construction was delayed, and subsequently, it was unable to go forward on account of procedural clearances.

Over the years, project costs have gone up steeply. Currently, the total cost of the project is estimated at ₹170 crore, which includes inflation and changes to the design as per revised considerations with respect to current traffic projections. Nevertheless, there is no formal sanction yet from the Ministry, and consequently, the halt of the project continues.

The local civic groups and residents have raised frustrations with the inordinate waiting time, considering the Singanallur junction a major arterial point connecting commercial and residential areas. “Every day of delay adds to congestion and inconvenience for commuters. Coimbatore cannot afford to miss vital infrastructure projects because of administrative delays,” said a member of a city-based civic forum.

This was a submission made by the Tamil Nadu State Highways Department, which has continuously requested such immediate clearance, arguing that the flyover is required to alleviate traffic congestion not just in Singanallur but upstream into adjoining segments, channelizing traffic into various industrial zones and IT hubs.

The experts claim that an increased delay will also up the cost of the project due to inflation and an increase in the costs of materials, coupled with rampant urbanization that is taking place in and around the site.

If timely clearances are obtained, the flyover would be of immense relief to hundreds of daily commuters and would substantially cut short area travel time in the meantime, whereas the city authorities are monitoring the traffic condition at the junction and implementing temporary measures to relieve congestion.

With Coimbatore emerging as an important urban and industrial hub, the timely implementation of infrastructure projects like the Singanallur flyover holds the key to sustaining the city’s growth in alleviating traffic woes for thousands of daily commuters.