COIMBATORE: The Coimbatore District Road Protection Committee has raised concerns over mounting traffic snarls at both ends of the Kavundampalayam and GN Mills flyovers on the Mettupalayam Road. The association petitioned the district administration and highways department, seeking immediate corrective interventions at the end points covering Cheran Nagar, the ITI area and Vellakinar Pirivu.It urged authorities to clear roadside encroachments and regulate street vendors, citing haphazard parking and business occupations as prime causes of bottlenecks and frequent accidents.The association held its 14th general body meeting on Sunday, and several resolutions were adopted seeking urgent action to address traffic congestion, road encroachments and accident-prone locations across the district.The association called for strict regulation of autos and app-based taxis outside Coimbatore railway station. It alleged that drivers parked their vehicles on the State Bank Road while picking up passengers, creating congestion and preventing passengers from reaching trains on time.Association secretary M Devendran raised concern over the trenches dug for drinking water pipeline and underground drainage in Coimbatore corporation limits.He said, “The pits were not being properly closed after work, posing a serious risk to pedestrians and motorists, particularly during the monsoon. We plan to stage a black flag protest at such locations if immediate action is not taken. Despite the construction of flyovers on the Coimbatore–Avinashi and Coimbatore–Trichy roads, the traffic congestion persists. It is because of poor planning by the national highways authorities that congestion and accidents occur. A comprehensive review of road design and traffic management across Coimbatore district should be conducted.”Highlighting that traffic congestion had worsened from Saravanampatti to Sivanandhapuram, Athipalayam Pirivu, Ganapathy, Moor Market and Gandhipuram, the association demanded that the Coimbatore–Sathy Road be widened into a six-lane road, especially between Coimbatore and Saravanampatti, after removing encroachments.
