Development of road medians across Coimbatore city sees slow progress

A median development project launched by Coimbatore Corporation in September last year has seen slow progress, with several stretches still incomplete.

The project involves the construction of new medians and the planting of saplings and other greenery. However, after the initial phase, much of the work slowed down as the Corporation shifted its focus to completing the Semmozhi Poonga project, which was taken up for inauguration on November 25 last year.

Work has been taken up on a few major roads. On Dr. Balasundaram Road, a 495-metre median is being developed at a cost of ₹43.50 lakh. Along Pollachi Road, 318 metres of the proposed 2.5-km stretch has been completed, with ₹22.6 lakh allocated. On Masakalipalayam Road, a 575-metre median is being developed at a cost of ₹45 lakh.

The decision to build medians was taken at a district road safety committee meeting. The medians, with a width of two feet, are intended to prevent road crossing, reduce accidents and cut glare from vehicle headlights. Saplings are to be planted once the civil works are completed.

An engineering official of the Corporation said work has now resumed and that median construction is under way along a one-kilometre stretch of Pollachi Road. The remaining stretches will be taken up in phases.

Approval for other stretches is still awaited. Once clearances are obtained, medians will be developed on 600 metres of G.V. Residency Road, 300 metres of CBM College Road, 1,200 metres in Kovai Pudur A Block, 650 metres on Raju Road, 900 metres on Alagappa Road and 1.65 km between Ukkadam and Athupalam. All medians will have a standard height of 2.5 feet and a width of two feet.