Coimbatore to get a comprehensive and updated mobility plan

The Tamil Nadu government will soon release a Master Plan for Coimbatore, including a comprehensive mobility plan

The Coimbatore Master Plan, which is under preparation, will include a comprehensive and updated mobility plan for the Coimbatore Local Planning Area.

The Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) Member Secretary I Jeyakumar chaired a meeting with officials and industry body representatives in Coimbatore city on Tuesday to discuss an upgraded comprehensive mobility plan for Coimbatore.

According to Rajesh B. Lund, president of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Coimbatore, the improved mobility plan is looking at rapid rail transit system, metro rail, walking paths, cycling tracks, depots for buses and lorries, etc. The industry will submit its suggestions and inputs within a week and these will be studied and incorporated in the mobility plan. “This is a good move because it is looking at the complete transportation requirements of Coimbatore,” he said.

This is for 1,531 sq.km, covering Coimbatore Corporation, four municipalities, 21 town panchayats, and 66 panchayats. The total population area, according to CUMTA’s study, is currently about 31 lakhs and it is projected to increase to 58.2 lakhs by 2041. The mobility plan will have a vision to meet the transport needs of Coimbatore LPA till 2041, he said.

In the 1,531 sq.km, there are, at present, 11 bus terminals and three major railway junctions. Almost 37 % of the vehicles on the road are two-wheelers and the carriageway width of the roads is inadequate. Though there are walking paths, the pedestrian infrastructure is poor. And, vehicle parking is unplanned and unregulated, the CUMTA pointed out.

J. Sathish of the Kongu Global Forum, added that the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation is acquiring 218 acres for a multi modal logistics park in Coimbatore district. This will include rail connectivity for freight movement. The CUMTA has mooted a rapid rail transit system for 180 km between Coimbatore and Salem. The trade and industry has asked for measures to expedite several bypass projects that have not taken off in Coimbatore and introducing suburban trains connecting Coimbatore with Tiruppur, Pollachi, and Palakkad.

A steering committee will be constituted to include suggestions from the public on the multiple transport infrastructure needs of Coimbatore LPA area, he said.