Coimbatore metro plans four corridors worth 136-km

As per the report submitted by the private consultancy firm Systra, the Coimbatore metro rail project will be implemented with four corridors covering a total network of 136 km. These corridors are from Karanampettai on Trichy Road to Thaneerpandal on Thadagam Road (42 km); Kaniyur to Ukkadam via Avinashi Road (26 km); Pilichi to Ukkadam via Mettupalayam Road (24 km); and Ganeshapuram to Karunya Nagar via Sathy Road (44 km). As a ground-level corridor connecting Karanampetti and Thaneerpandal through Ukkadam-Sungam bypass has been suggested, which might affect the proposed design of the flyover project. Also, considering the vehicle flow, it is difficult to provide the 10 meters required to lay the railway track on the road. The state highway department officials said that talks are underway with CMRL to find a solution before proceeding with the project. As the 1.97-km-long Ukkadam Flyover project has commenced recently, the department had proposed changes on both sides of the flyover – towards Athupalam and Town Hall. It was also proposed to extend the flyover for another 600 meters up to Athupalam junction. A 300-meter loop will be constructed between Palakkad and Pollachi Road as it will cut the flyover length by 244 meters from Naaz Theatre and form an elevated loop before connecting the roads towards Sungam and Town Hall, said official sources.