Decade-old flyover project delay fuels traffic congestion at VVD signal in Thoothukudi

Traffic congestion at VVD signal in Thoothukudi due to lack of infrastructure, flyover project stalled in legal battles.

With the increased industrial expansion and migration of people towards urban areas, traffic congestion has been a pressing issue in Thoothukudi.

Heavy gridlock has been persisting at the VVD signal in Thoothukudi due to increased vehicular movement along the route and lack of alternative infrastructure facilities for the commuters to navigate through the road. Commuters say that the flyover project announced in 2011 at VVD signal would have helped to ease the bottle neck, if it had been implemented as per the announcement.

On a sweltering noon, Ashok passing through the signal said that the city has been receiving various development projects but alternative measures to bypass the signal have always been a challenge for commuters especially during summer.

“The summer in Thoothukudi always hits its peak and this year is no less than the previous one’s. In addition to that, vehicles moving at a snail’s pace during the summer is another huge issue that needs to be immediately addressed. Construction of a flyover is the only way to reduce the congestion and help people cope with torrid summer heat,” he added.

The flyover announced during the AIADMK tenure in 2011, planned at 570 meters long and 12 meter wide, starts from south police station and ends near the corporation park. Earlier ₹9.75 crore has also been allocated for the land acquisition of the project.

However, a few businessmen and traders opposed the project at the Madurai bench of Madras High Court. More than a decade the project has been on hold with the continuous legal battles.

Muthu, Thoothukudi City CPM(I) secretary, alleged that the traffic congestion on the signal poses a significant risk to people’s lives, pointing out that numerous vehicles are approaching the Thoothukudi Medical College and Hospital for emergency treatments.