TrafficUpdate – Highway Authorities Plan New Service Lane Near CMS School

TrafficUpdate – The Tamil Nadu Highways Department’s National Highways Wing has prepared a revised proposal to build a dedicated service lane along a section of Sathyamangalam Road near CMS School in Ganapathy. The decision follows repeated concerns raised by social activists regarding the ongoing stormwater drain construction works on National Highway 948 and the absence of a proper service road in the area.

Officials confirmed that the updated plan includes the construction of a 150-metre-long service lane parallel to the main carriageway. The proposal has now been forwarded to the district road safety committee for review and approval before work can begin.

Concerns Raised Over Drain Construction

The issue gained attention after several members of civic and consumer organisations questioned the manner in which stormwater drains were being laid along the busy highway stretch. According to the objections submitted to authorities, the drainage work was reportedly carried out close to the existing carriageway instead of at the outer edge of the highway boundary.

Activists argued that the approach could create long-term traffic and infrastructure challenges. They also expressed concern over plans to utilise leftover road space for pavements and vehicle parking facilities. According to them, such arrangements may eventually encourage roadside encroachments and reduce available road width in the future.

Safety Committee Member Flags Highway Norm Violations

Among those who formally objected to the project was K Kathirmathiyon, secretary of Coimbatore Consumer Cause and a member of the district road safety committee. In his representation to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the National Highways Division in Coimbatore, he claimed that the drainage structures were not being implemented according to established highway guidelines.

He pointed out that highway drains are generally expected to be positioned at the extreme edge of the Right of Way, which refers to the total land acquired for a highway corridor. According to the complaint, placing the drains near the carriageway could limit future road expansion opportunities and contribute to traffic congestion as vehicle movement increases over time.

Revised Plan Includes Dedicated Service Road

Following continued representations from activists and road safety stakeholders, highway officials decided to alter the original design. The updated proposal now focuses on separating local traffic from the main highway movement by introducing a service lane alongside the road.

A senior highways department official stated that both the main carriageway and the newly planned service lane would have independent stormwater drainage arrangements positioned along the road edges. However, pedestrian pavements would be constructed only along the service lane above the drainage system.

Officials believe the revised layout will improve vehicle flow and reduce safety concerns on the heavily used stretch of Sathyamangalam Road.

Bus Stop Likely To Be Shifted

As part of the proposed changes, authorities are also planning to relocate the existing bus stop near CMS School from the main highway carriageway to the upcoming service lane. The move is intended to minimise traffic interruptions caused by buses halting directly on the highway.

Road safety experts have often highlighted the risks associated with buses stopping on major carriageways, especially during peak traffic hours. Shifting the stop to the service road is expected to create smoother traffic movement and provide safer access for commuters.

Awaiting Final Approval

The highways department has stated that construction activities will commence only after the district road safety committee grants official approval for the revised design. Residents and commuters using the corridor are now awaiting the committee’s decision, as the stretch frequently experiences heavy traffic movement during school and office hours.

The proposed modifications are being viewed as an attempt to balance urban infrastructure development with long-term road safety planning in one of Coimbatore’s important highway corridors.