Following the request from villagers, pedestrians and students living at Neelambur, near the iconic PSG Convention Centre to establish an elevated walkway above the highway to facilitate safe crossing, such a facility has been provided by the highways department, at a cost of Rs.2.5 crore according to a report.
Previously, pedestrians had to walk long distances using the service roads in order to use an underpass at the highway to reach the other side of the road. This facility ensures that the public who need to reach the opposite side of the road, walk a lot safer at a reduced time. However, concerns about lack of escalator or elevator facility might make it go underutilized.
While Neelambur has at least received a FOB, pedestrians who cross Avinashi Road in Coimbatore city, especially the 10.1 km stretch from Uppilipalayam to Goldwins still await for FoB or Subway system for their safe movement to the opposite side of the road.
Subway system was planned as a part of Metro but that was dropped and Metro is nowhere near sight. Later, it was said that FOBs would be established here. 5 FOBs were supposed to be established in select areas of this stretch including one at the busy Lakshmi Mills junction, PSGR Krishnammal College and KMCH Bus Stop.
While Pelican Signals are present at multiple locatons in the stretch, not all are aware of it, and the system goes haywire sometimes either due to technical glitch or due to vandalism. The same has been reported, in the news often.
Also, because of U Turns, a section of motorists who do not need to make a turn at the spot, operate at high speed, ignoring that pedestrians await to cross the road. As most traffic signals in the stretch were replaced with U-turns, pedestrians, especially the senior citizens and children struggle to cross the road safely.
