Coimbatore Corporation proposes street improvement plan to ensure safe commute for pedestrians

Coimbatore Corporation proposes student-friendly street improvements in central zone to enhance pedestrian safety and accessibility.

To improve pedestrian safety and accessibility, particularly for students, Coimbatore Corporation has proposed a pilot street improvement project in the central zone. The initiative focuses on creating student-friendly infrastructure along school and college routes, with provisions for walking, cycling, and better traffic regulation.

Trichy Road and Kamarajar Road in Ramanathapuram have been identified for the pilot phase. The project will span 2.5 km and is estimated to cost ₹2.5 crore. The area was chosen due to the presence of nine educational institutions—including government and private schools and colleges—and the availability of space along the roadside for redesigning the streetscape.

According to the Corporation, the plan is intended to ease traffic congestion and improve road safety for pedestrians, especially students. The proposed features include tabletop pedestrian crossings, continuous footpaths, cycle tracks, dedicated pick-up and drop-off zones, and parking areas. Officials said the cycle tracks would benefit students commuting by bicycle, while the pick-up and drop-off zones were expected to reduce carriageway blockages during school hours by providing designated stopping points for vehicles.

“The design will be implemented within the existing space along Trichy and Kamarajar roads, selected for their proximity to schools and available roadside space. The proposal will be reviewed with departments and submitted to the State government within a month,” said Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran.

“Road crossings have become difficult after traffic signals were removed. Vehicles move continuously at high speeds, and we have to cross at our own risk. The footpaths are damaged in places, and in some stretches there are no walkways at all, making the roads inaccessible for pedestrians. It will be good if a proper plan is implemented to improve the crossings.” said S. Monika, a Class XII student at a private school in Ramanathapuram.

The project will follow the Healthy Streets Design Guidelines formulated by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP). It is expected to be executed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.