Long awaited Bridge opend,But not for Buses!!!
"At last, this is happening, this opening of the flyover," Union Minister of State for Railways A. Velu observed in a tone of huge relief after Union Minister for Communication and Information Technology Dayanidhi Maran formally opened to traffic the Ondipudur flyover across the railway line.Mr. Velu's opening remark of his address also sought to reflect the sense of relief among the people who have waited for six years for the flyover to complete.Referring to the huge turnout at the meeting, Mr. Maran said: "It shows that this is a much-awaited flyover.People are not bothered who is in power.They need proper amenities."Sympathising with the people for the six-year gruelling wait for the flyover, he announced on behalf of Mr. Velu and the State Highways Minister M.P. Swaminathan, who was also at the meeting, that the flyover on Sungam Bypass Road in the city would be opened on June 30.Mr. Maran said the Union Ministers from the State were competing with each other in bringing about development all over Tamil Nadu."Our speedy work in all the fields is a thanksgiving to the voters for the total majority given to us (Democratic Progressive Alliance) in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections.
"Though Coimbatore did not give us a similar result in the Assembly elections, we are still firm on bringing development to this region," he declared. "Coimbatore will have a Tidel park in 18 months," he said.Mr. Velu said at least 30 per cent of the overbridges sanctioned across the country were for Tamil Nadu. Of the 104 cleared for implementation last year, 33 were for the State.This year, 39 of the 98 bridges had been allocated for the State, he said. The Central Government was prepared to give any number bridges to the State.The Railway Ministry had no problem in funding bridge projects.The State had to contribute 50 per cent of the cost. Besides, the State should also acquire land, remove encroachments and also allot funds in its budget for the projects.
Listing the developments on the railway front his ministry had brought to the State, Mr. Velu said 44 new trains had been introduced and there was probably no space for more. Three new routes were to be created and only 90 km out of the 1,956 km of metre gauge were left to be converted into broad gauge. All these reflected the close co-ordination between the Central and the State Governments.Mr. Swaminathan said the State Government had closely pursued the flyover work and even got costs revised when the prices of construction materials increased. On other road works, the Minister said that the Government had earmarked Rs. 3667 crore last year for roads and bridges. The Government now stressed on acquiring lands first after realising that delay in this process held up projects mid-way.Rural Industries Minister Pongalur N. Palanisamy recounted instances where the public cursed traffic diversion for years when the bridge work did not progress at the desired pace.
He agreed with Coimbatore MP, K. Subbarayan that hereafter there must be close co-ordination between the Railways and the Department of Highways so that works did not get held up.District Collector Neeraj Mittal said that the opening of the flyover would bring an end to the numerous traffic snarls that tormented people for some years.
