Though Ukkadam - Athupalam flyover works are in a very early stage, connectivity to Coimbatore south has crippled within a month. Various diversion plans introduced by the police have not yielded results fully to retain accessibility to Coimbatore south, comprising busy market places like Ukkdam, Big Bazar Street and Oppanakara Street.
Alternative routes
Drivers of buses, autorickshaws, taxis and regular commuters feel that more alternative routes must be used to ease movement of vehicles towards Palakkad Road and Pollachi Road.
“The congestion is heavy even as works started. The condition will worsen when works progress,” opined an autorickshaw driver from Ukkadam.
As per the current diversion plan by the police, heavy vehicles other than TNSTC and private passenger buses are not allowed to use the Ukkadam - Athupalam stretch where works have started. However, the road is not able to handle peak hour traffic.
According to the police, they have introduced one-way traffic system on Ukkadam-Athupalam stretch. “One-way traffic system has been introduced on the stretch to reduce congestion and vehicles are allowed only towards Athupalam. Vehicles plying from Athupalam to Ukkadam are diverted via the road along the bund of Periyakulam. The new arrangement will ease congestion to an extent,” said a traffic official.
Heavy vehicles from Avinashi Road and Tiruchi Road plying towards Palakkad and Pollachi are currently diverted via Nanjundapuram Road and Podanur.
Heavy vehicles entering the city from Palakkad Road and Pollachi Road are diverted to Avinashi Road and Tiruchi Road through the same stretch.
Similarly, heavy vehicles from Pollachi Road and Palakkad Road to Ooty, Mettupalayam and Thadagam are diverted via Athupalam, Puttuvikki Road, Sivalaya Junction and Ponnaiyarajapuram to reach Thadagam Road.