FOB work on Avinashi Road put on hold due to Kovai metro rail project

EVEN as the much-anticipated Avinashi Road elevated corridor nears completion, concerns over pedestrian safety remain unresolved, with no foot overbridges (FOBs) yet constructed on the busy stretch.

- ARAVIND RAJ @ Coimbatore

Despite earlier announcements and joint inspections by the top brass, officials have put the proposed FOB works on hold owing to the upcoming Coimbatore Metro Rail Project to be built by the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL).

The Avinashi Road Elevated Expressway, a flagship infrastructure project under the State Highways Department's Special Projects Wing, is being constructed at a cost of Rs 1,621.30 crore. Officially sanctioned in August 2020 and initiated on December 3 the same year, the flyover spans 10.1 km in length and 17.25 metres in width, making it the longest of its kind in Tamil Nadu. It runs from Uppilipalayam near the police quarters to Goldwins near Chinniyampalayam on the Avinashi Road.