COIMBATORE: Even as highway officials began work on the
Ukkadam flyover and have been releasing maps, people living in the area continue to have apprehensions regarding the project.
They say the
highways department hasn’t still confirmed if the four-lane flyover will be extended up to Aathupalam, as per the original plan, or if it will end at Karumbukadai Junction. They also say relocation of families, whose houses are being encroached, to Malumichampatty will destroy their livelihood.
A month after the bhoomi puja for the project was completed and a week after traffic diversions for the same were put in place, the
Ukkadam People’s Livelihood Protection Collective has issued a statement that the highways department is yet to show them a clear design of the flyover.
They say the flyover was originally designed to be from Oppanakara Street to Aathupalam. But suddenly a few months ago, highways officials modified the design of the flyover making it begin at Ukkadam and end Karumbukadai Junction.
Residents say the new design does not serve any purpose because the Karumbukadai Junction already sees heavy traffic. “Highways officials did not give a reason for the change in design,” says activist M Parthiban.
“The Karumbukadai Junction is already full of traffic and ending a flyover there will increase the congestion,” he says. “When we approach the highways department directly, they say the flyover will end at Aathupalam, but it remains a verbal commitment and not in writing,” he says.
The highways department has released a map which shows a ring road being created opposite to the Ukkadam Bus Stand, with exits to the Selvapuram bypass, Sungam and Oppanakara Street. “But more people go from Aathupalam to Sungam, and that is the connection we require, rather than Selvapuram to Sungam,” says Parthiban.
The creation of this ring road has also led to land acquisition notices being issued to 437 residents in CMC Colony and 150 residents in Dhobi Khaana. “They have not given a written statement about where these residents are going to be relocated. Highways department officials and slum resettlement board officials have not held proper negotiations. Verbally they have mentioned Malumichampatty,” says Ponnaiya Chandran, another activist.
Residents say living in Malumichampatty will not be economically viable for them. “CMC Colony residents are conservancy workers in the corporation. They have to submit biometric attendance at 6am and 1.30pm. They cannot even go back home if they live in Malumichampatty. The Dhobi Khaana residents already have a solid clientele in this area. If they are moved, they need to set up another dhobi khaana there and then start finding clients which is dangerous to their business,” said Parthiban.