COIMBATORE: Social activists and residents in Coimbatore have voiced concerns over the sluggish progress of the long-delayed Thanneerpandal Railway Overbridge (ROB), urging the district administration to intervene and expedite the works. The state highways department, however, has refuted the allegations, stating that construction is progressing as scheduled.
The project has faced repeated delays since its inception. The government first cleared the proposal for a flyover across Level Crossing Gate No 6 in October 2006 under GO No 210, granting an administrative sanction of Rs 12.65 crore. With the escalation of construction costs, the estimate was later revised to Rs 15.30 crore. The planned structure spans 549.14 metres in length and 8.5 metres in width, supported by 15 pillars, eight on the southern side and seven on the northern side, along with approach and service roads.
Southern Railway completed its share of the works above the track in 2018. Progress stalled soon after due to prolonged land acquisition issues. Although most of the 58 affected landowners agreed to part with their land, a private school and an industrial unit challenged the move in the Madras High Court, resulting in years of litigation.
Construction resumed in July this year after fresh tenders were issued, with an 18-month deadline set for December 2026. Four months on, local residents and activists allege that the pace on the ground remains unsatisfactory.
RTI and social activist V Balasubramanian has submitted a petition to the district collector, flagging the hardships faced by commuters from Vilankurichi, Cheran Ma Nagar, Ganapathy Ma Nagar and CODISSIA. These neighbourhoods rely heavily on the Thanneerpandal Road link between Avinashi Road and Sathy Road, where frequent closures of the railway gate cause severe daily disruptions.
Speaking to TNIE, Balasubramanian said that while work on the northern ramp, comprising seven pillars, has been underway for three months, no visible progress has been made on the southern end. He alleged that the contractor has deployed an inadequate workforce and limited machinery, resulting in slow advancement of the project.
Citing the recently completed 10-km Avinashi Road flyover, which consists of 300 pillars and took 60 months to complete, he argued that a 560-metre structure with just 15 pillars should ideally be finished within four to five months if executed efficiently. His petition urged officials to ensure the ROB is completed by March 2026, ahead of the current deadline.
Dismissing the criticism, officials of the state highways department maintained that the works are progressing steadily. A senior official told TNIE that seven pillars on the Thanneerpandal side have already been completed, and work on the Avinashi Road side will begin shortly. “We have requested the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC) to shift underground pipelines, which is essential for commencing work on that side. Payment for the shifting was made long ago, and the corporation has assured us that the work will start soon,” the official said.
When contacted, CCMC Commissioner M Sivaguru Prabakaran said corporation officials had been preoccupied with SIR-related works. “I inspected the site along with the highways officials, and the pipelines will not hinder construction. Nevertheless, we shall begin the shifting next week and complete it at the earliest,” he added.
