Demand for pedestrian underpass delays flyover works at Mamangam on Salem-Bengaluru National Highway
The Hindu
Delay in flyover construction at Mamangam due to demand for pedestrian underpass, causing traffic congestion on Salem-Bengaluru highway.
The construction of a flyover at Mamangam on the Salem-Bengaluru National Highway is delayed, reportedly due to the demand for a pedestrian underpass.
The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), which started the construction of a 700-metre flyover at Mamangam in 2023, had included a vehicular underpass in the project. The total project cost was ₹29 crore, and it was scheduled for completion in December 2024 (12 months). Works were progressing as per plan till August 2024. However, residents of Anna Nagar I, II, and III, Thillai Nagar, Amaravathi Nagar, Mottur, Chinna Mottur, and Sail Refractory Colony, areas located on both sides of the highway, demanded a pedestrian underpass or minor link bridge last October. They claimed that in the absence of pedestrian underpass, they have to travel an additional 1.5 km.
Salem West MLA R. Arul of Pattali Makkal Katchi also supported their demand and staged a protest in front of the NHAI office in Salem. Following the protest, the NHAI stopped the work for 300 metres (Bengaluru roadside) and continued on the remaining 400 metres on the Salem roadside.
Official sources said that work on the Salem roadside would be completed next month. On the other side, only 50% of the work was completed and the construction has been halted for the last four months. The contractors claimed that it was not possible to provide a pedestrian underpass as almost 50 % construction was over.
Construction of a pedestrian underpass requires additional ₹5 crore and reworking a portion of the flyover. The NHAI is ready to provide an additional ₹2.50 crore. With works on a standstill, vehicles proceeding towards Bengaluru take the service road and slow down, resulting in traffic snarls during evenings and weekends.
“We are firm in our stand and NHAI should provide pedestrian underpass and not consider the additional cost,” Mr. Arul added.
A senior official of the NHAI said the head office in New Delhi should decide on the demand for the pedestrian underpass.
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