Coimbatore: Commuters travelling towards the Palakkad main road have been facing severe traffic congestion for several months due to the ongoing Marappalam road extension work. As part of the project, vehicles are being diverted through the Madukarai alternate route, which is considerably narrow and longer than the original road.
The diversion has led to heavy traffic buildup, particularly during peak hours, as only limited two-way movement is possible on the alternate stretch. Daily commuters report long delays, increased travel time, and mounting frustration due to the prolonged nature of the construction work.
In a related concern, traffic congestion near Karpagam College of Arts and Science has further aggravated commuting difficulties in the area. The four-way junction near the college, regulated by traffic signals, witnesses long vehicle queues every day. According to commuters, the green signal duration is extremely short, while the red signal lasts for over two minutes, resulting in traffic piling up from all directions.
Students, staff, office-goers, and even emergency vehicles such as ambulances are reportedly affected by the congestion, especially during morning and evening peak hours. The prolonged waiting time has also led to increased fuel wastage and inconvenience to the public.
Abdul Hakkim from Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Coimbatore has urged the concerned authorities to expedite the completion of the Marappalam road extension work and to reassess the traffic signal timing near Karpagam College. Suggestions include optimising signal cycles, deploying traffic police during peak hours, or introducing intelligent traffic management systems to regulate vehicle flow more effectively.
Residents and commuters hope that timely intervention by the authorities will help ease traffic congestion, ensure smoother movement, and improve overall public safety in the affected areas.
