Coimbatore: Traffic signals are all set to make a comeback on Avinashi Road after a gap of almost two years to prevent motorists from speeding and curb the accidents arising out of the same.The city police had removed 12 traffic signals on Uppilipalayam-SITRA Junction stretch on Avinashi Road in 2023 and replaced the same with U-turns, as part of their efforts to improve road safety and traffic management. The change initially benefited the motorists, who earlier had t-o wait at each signal for at least a minute. The U-turn system offered a smoother travelling experience for the motorists during the peak hours with fewer stoppages. According to the former city police commissioner, 108 ambulance response time had reduced from 11.22 minutes to 7.22 minutes after the removal of traffic signals, which also helped save several lakhs of rupees on electricity bills. The scenario, however, changed after the GD Naidu flyover was thrown open for public use in Oct last year. “With nearly 50% of the motorists began using the elevated corridor, traffic volume on the surface stretch of Avinashi Road drastically reduced. With no signals on the stretch, motorists started speeding their vehicles, leading to more accidents,” says an official source. As per the data available with the city police, 26 of the 101 accidents reported on Avinashi Road in 2025 took place between Oct and Dec after the opening of the GD Naidu flyover. Four lives were also lost in three months. “Accidents peaked on the stretch in Jan 2026, when four people were killed in 12 accidents,” the source says, indirectly hinting at the need to reintroduce the signal system to curb the accidents. N Logu, secretary, Coimbatore Consumer Voice, says the U-turn system is not perfect at all. “At some locations such as Nava India motorists have to travel nearly 500 metres to take a U-turn. U-turns also cause congestion at certain points. Pedestrians are struggling to cross the road after the removal of traffic signals. Reintroducing them on Avinashi Road will address the woes of pedestrians, while bringing the accident rate down.” S Ashok Kumar, city deputy police commissioner (traffic), says they have a govt fund allocation of Rs1.10 crore to install traffic signals on Avinashi Road. “The plan is to reinstall the traffic signals at Uppilipalayam, GKNM, Lakshmi Mills, Pioneer Mill Road, Hope College and Nava India. U-turns near these signals will be removed. The plan includes dedicated pedestrian crossing time at every signal.” Another police officer said several politicians and prominent businesspersons were putting pressure on them to implement the traffic signal system on Avinashi Road. “While signals could improve pedestrian safety and reduce accidents, traffic congestion at junctions such as Nava India and Peelamedu is likely to increase.” City police commissioner N Kannan, meanwhile, unveiled the plans to develop the stretch as a ‘green corridor’. “Under the proposed system, if the motorists drive at the designated speed, only the green signal will be awaiting them at successive signals. They won’t be stopped.”
