Vivasayigal Sangham opposes bypass project
The association of farmers, residents and motorists to be affected by the proposed Neelambur – Mettuppalayam Bypass Road have planned to stage a demonstration in front of the Collectorate in October opposing the bypass road.In a statement here, the sangham president, M.R. Sivasamy, said that a resolution was passed at a recent meeting of the people who are likely to be affected.The existing road from Coimbatore to Mettuppalayam was only 36 km whereas the alignment of the proposed road would be of 60 km. The proposed bypass road cuts across the existing main road. The proposed bypass road would actually increase the route km length, time taken for travel besides fuel consumption.In the proposed bypass road, four km of the existing Coimbatore – Mettuppalayam Road would become part of the bypass road at three different places.The concept of bypass road had not been fully adhered to, in this case.This was being deliberately done in order to collect toll from those using the existing Mettuppalayam Road, Mr.Sivasamy alleged.The alignment has been planned in such a way that the private operator executing the bypass road project would stand to benefit by collecting toll from vehicles that ply on the existing main road – National Highway-67 extension for the next 20 years.Nearly 4,000 acres of agricultural land has to be acquired for the project besides demolishing buildings.The association suggested that the funds sanctioned for the bypass road be used for developing Mettuppalayam Road into a four-lane and for constructing a flyover at the Karamadai level crossing.
