COIMBATORE: The absence of dedicated pedestrian crossing facilities along the busy Avinashi Road stretch beneath the GD Naidu flyover has emerged as a growing safety concern, with members of the public, students and daily commuters urging the authorities to expedite the construction of subways or foot overbridges (FOBs).
The state highways department had initially proposed constructing pedestrian subways or FOBs at key locations along the nearly 10-km stretch beneath the flyover.
However, the proposal was later shelved after the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) planned to build pedestrian FOBs as part of the proposed Metro Rail project. The delay has left thousands of pedestrians negotiating fast-moving traffic every day, prompting renewed calls for safer crossing facilities.
For students heading to educational institutions, office-goers, senior citizens and residents living on either side of Avinashi Road, crossing the arterial road has become an anxious daily routine.
"I cross the road twice every day to reach my college bus stop. Vehicles travel at high speed, and even with zebra crossings, many motorists do not slow down. We need a foot overbridge or subway before a serious accident happens," said S Priyanka, a college student.
Echoing similar concerns, V Muralidharan, a resident of Peelamedu, said, "The flyover has certainly reduced traffic congestion for vehicles, but pedestrians have been forgotten. Families with children and elderly people struggle to cross the road safely, especially during peak hours."
With traffic volumes continuing to rise on Avinashi Road, residents and road users have urged the authorities to prioritise permanent pedestrian infrastructure alongside future transport projects, stressing that road safety should remain a key consideration in the city's infrastructure planning.
Speaking to TNIE, a senior official from the highways department said that the department is unable to proceed with pedestrian crossing structures because the CMRL has proposed similar facilities under the Metro Rail project and is yet to green-light the
"They (CMRL) have only given the nod for the extension of the GD Naidu flyover from Chinniampalayam to Neelambur as they've changed their alignment. Therefore, dedicated pedestrian subways or FOBs are not being considered at present," the official said.
The official, however, added that interim measures have been implemented to improve pedestrian safety until permanent infrastructure is developed. "Meanwhile, we've strengthened ground-level pedestrian crossings by providing designated crossing zones at 17 locations along the stretch. In addition, eight pelican signals and eight traffic signals have been installed to help pedestrians cross the road safely using signal-controlled zebra crossings," the official said.