The recently inaugurated 2.5-km. stretch of the two-tier flyover on Five Roads junction here has evoked mixed response from the public.
While many view the flyover as a boon to the traffic congestion in the area, some feel that the service roads along the flyovers should also be brought to use at the earliest.
Chief Minister Edappadi.K.Palaniswami inaugurated the two-tier flyover here, between AVR Roundabout and Ramakrishna Road junction on Friday. The entire 7-km. flyover was constructed at a cost of ₹ 441 crore and the works of the remaining stretch is expected to be completed in next few months.
J.M. Boopathi, founder of Salem Consumer Voice Foundation, said: “the flyover is really beneficial considering the traffic congestion in the area. Anyone who drives through the flyover from AVR roundabout would reach Hasthampatti junction within five minutes. The recently opened stretch has really eased traffic between the points.”
He said that the authorities should also bring in to use the service roads of the stretch at the earliest. “Currently, the space under the inaugurated stretch on Salem main road is being used as a parking space hence two-wheelers are not able to use the service roads here. Due to this, motorists are forced to use to Omalaur Main Road to reach Railway station or to access State Bank Colony here,” he said.
A. Padmanabhan, a marketing executive, said, “authorities should also work towards completing the construction works of other stretches of the flyover at the earliest. I think it would have also been beneficial if the entire stretch between AVR roundabout and Hasthampatti junction had two-way traffic. Currently, only a short distance of the stretch is opened for two-way traffic.”
A. Vijayakumar, a city-dweller, said, “there are several educational institutions on Sharadha College road and this lead to traffic congestions and accidents during peak hours. The flyover has eased movement of traffic in the stretch also at Five Roads junction.”