Transport in Coimbatore

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Coimbatore International Airport front view Cbeairport3.JPG
Coimbatore International Airport front view

Coimbatore is a city in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Most transportation in the city and suburbs is by road. Coimbatore is well-connected to most cities and towns in India by road, rail, and air, but not through waterways. The city has successful transport infrastructure compared to other Indian cities, though road infrastructures are not well maintained and developed according to the growing needs of transport, making traffic congestion a major problem in the city. A comprehensive transport development plan has been made[ when? ] to address many traffic problems.[ citation needed ]

Contents

Roads

Avinashi Road is one of the most important arterial roads in the city. PSG tech coimbatore.png
Avinashi Road is one of the most important arterial roads in the city.
Sungam-Ukkadam bypass bridge Ukkadam-sungam bridge.jpg
Sungam-Ukkadam bypass bridge

The Coimbatore city and metropolitan area is divided into five administrative zones (East, West, North, South and Central) which are served by major arterial roads. [1] Avinashi Road is one of the city's most important arterial roads, traversing most of Central and East Coimbatore.[ citation needed ] It is part of National Highway 544, which connects to [2] Salem and Ernakulam. [3] Other arterials include Trichy Road (central–southeast), Mettupalayam Road (north–south), Sathy Road (south–northeast), Palakkad Road (east–west), Pollachi Road (north–south), and Thadagam Road (east–west). Other roads include 100 Feet Road, Bharatiyar Road, Dr. Nanjappa Road, Balasundarum Road, Crosscut Road (in the Gandhipuram commercial district), Diwhan Bahadhur Road (DB Road), TV Swamy Road, Brooke Bond Road in RS Puram, and Race Course Road. Maruthamalai Road starts at the intersection of Lawley Road Junction and connects to the neighbourhood of Vadavalli and the Maruthamalai foothills.[ citation needed ]

In January 2012, the Coimbatore Corporation announced that they would be laying around ten roads by mixing plastic. [4] Parts of the district, including Kurudampalayam, continue turning plastic waste into pavement. [5]

National Highways

Five major National Highways radiate outward from Coimbatore:

Ring roads

A major bypass was built by Larsen & Toubro from Neelambur to Madukkarai on NH 47 which intersects the Trichy Road at Chintamani Pudur near Irugur and Eachanari in Pollachi Road. [9] In 2012, the Coimbatore Corporation started construction of six railway overpass bridges in the city [10] and the National Highways Authority of India invited feasibility studies to upgrade the National Highway connecting Pollachi and Bannari passing through the city. [11]

Public transport

Low floor bus from JNNURM for Coimbatore city Coimbatore-TNSTC-JnNURM-Bus.JPG
Low floor bus from JNNURM for Coimbatore city
MTP road bus station, all northbound buses towards Ooty, Gudalur and beyond start from here Mettupalayam busstand coimbatore.jpg
MTP road bus station, all northbound buses towards Ooty, Gudalur and beyond start from here

Most of Coimbatore's intra-city transport requirements are met by extensive public transport, with about 1257 buses on 322 routes. This service, which is run by the government-owned TNSTC Coimbatore covers the city and its suburbs. [12] [13] An additional 500 buses operate on 119 inter-city routes, to major towns in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Pondicherry, and Andhra Pradesh. Bus services are generally considered efficient; in 2018, TNSTC rolled out conductor-less buses and point-to-point routes to decrease operational costs and improve efficiency. [14] [15] The point-to-point routes were still in effect in April 2023. [16] In 2022, the Petroleum Conservation Research Association ranked TNSTC's Coimbatore division the second most efficient in mileage nationally. A TNSTC official cited "counseling and training programmes for the drivers, periodical servicing of buses and better road conditions" as main factors in improving transport efficiency. [17]

Private transport

The city is also served by a large number of private buses and auto rickshaws.[ citation needed ] Call taxis are also becoming more popular and fixed-rate tourist taxis are available at the airport, bus terminals, and railway stations. [18] Vans which are run like bus services are popularly called "maxi cabs". The outlying suburban areas of the city are served by private minibus company services and public buses of neighboring districts. The city has a very high vehicle-to-population ratio. Despite a sharp increase in the number of four-wheelers in the city, motorscooters are still very prevalent, due to their affordability, fuel efficiency, maneuverability, and ease of parking.[ citation needed ]

List of Intercity (Mofussil, Omni, SECTC, Town) bus stands

List of Intracity bus stands

List of TNSTC Coimbatore depots

Air

Coimbatore International Airport ( IATA : CJB, ICAO : VOCB) is a major airport serving Coimbatore and its suburbs. It is the second busiest airport in Tamil Nadu after Chennai and has separate domestic and international terminals. The airport lies about 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from the city centre and is accessible by road and rail. As of 2022, the airport is undergoing modernization, including the construction of a new terminal and a runway expansion to 3,800 metres (12,500 ft), which will make it the second longest runway in South India. [22] Other airports in the metropolitan area include Sulur Air Force Station. [23]

Railways

Coimbatore Junction, also known as Kovai Junction, is the primary railway station serving the city, as well as the major rail junction of South India. It has six platforms and is the second busiest railway station in Tamil Nadu, after Chennai. Many trains from Kerala to other parts of the country pass through Coimbatore Junction. It is one of the top booking stations and revenue-generating stations in India according to Indian Railway. [24] [25] [26]

Proposed rapid transit

Metro

Coimbatore Metro, also known as Kovai Metro or CMRL, is a proposed metro rail system. [27] [28] The plan was shelved in 2011 in favor of a monorail system. [29] In January 2017, a Coimbatore District Administration official told The Hindu that there was no mass rapid transit system presently under consideration for the city. [30] Railway Minister Suresh Prabu announced a plan to construct metro rail in late 2017 on behalf of the government. [31] The proposed works were anticipated to begin by fiscal year 2017–18. [32] A project plan prepared by CMRL was completed in 2022 and the system is expected to finished by 2027. [33] 9,000 was allotted for the rail route in the 2023-24 budget. [34]

Suburban railway

Coimbatore railways have unique infrastructure to host a circular rail system as it has similar bus services within the city limits. One proposal would link Coimbatore, Coimbatore North, Peelamedu, Irugur, and Podanur before returning to Coimbatore Junction. Another infrastructure that can be utilized are the four radiating rail routes from Coimbatore Junction to towns 40 kilometres (25 mi) away. The other junctions are located at Coimbatore North Junction (2.6 km away from Coimbatore Junction (CBE) on the northern side), Podanur Junction (5.8 km away from CBE on the southern side) and Irugur (16 km from CBE on eastern side). [35]

Bus rapid transit

The Coimbatore Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) was proposed under the JNNURM scheme and called for a 18.6-kilometre (11.6 mi) corridor starting at Avinashi Road and ending at Mettupalayam Road. The route would turn left from Stanes School after Avinashi Road and passes along Dr. Nanjappa Road. It then joins at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Road. Avinashi Road, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Road, and Mettupalyam Road would have dedicated two-lane 7-metre (23 ft) carriageways for the BRTS and would be flanked by dual lanes for mixed traffic on either side. These lanes would be separated by 250-millimetre-wide (9.8 in) cement blocks on both sides. A 2-metre (6 ft 7 in) cycle track and 2-metre footpath was proposed on either side of the mixed traffic lane, also separated by cement blocks. The proposal included the addition of 14 at-grade bus stops and three bus stops in the route's 6.87 km (4.27 mi) elevated section. [36] A May 2015 feasibility study by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy and Tamil Nadu's Transport Department & Commissionerate of Municipal Administration indicated that bus transportation was inadequate to serve the city's needs. [37] At a January 2023 meeting, Coimbatore central regional transport officer K. Sathyakumar suggested the implementation of a BRTS as soon as possible, pointing to Mettupalayam, Trichy, and Avinashi roads as good sites. [38]

See also

Related Research Articles

Karumathampatti is a Municipality in the Coimbatore district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the prominent developing suburb in Coimbatore metropolitan area, about 25 km away from the city centre. It is situated in between NH544 which connects the city of Coimbatore with Salem – Erode – Tirupur and also in between the State Highway 165 connects Annur – Kamanaikenpalayam. Nearby places are Somanur-3 km, Avinashi-10 km, Tirupur-20 km, Sulur-15 km, Annur-16 km. Coimbatore -27,Mettupalayam-38,Palladam-19. Karumathampatti lies near the junction of two major roads, NH544(Coimbatore – Salem) and Karumathampatti – Annur road.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peelamedu</span> Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India

Peelamedu is a major commercial centre and residential locality in the Eastern part of the city of Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, India. It is governed by Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation since 1981. The growth of Peelamedu during the last decade can be cited due to the growth of the IT sector in Coimbatore. The rapid growth of Peelamedu as a commercial and residential hub could be attributed to its geographical advantage in terms of the connectivity to other parts of the city. It acts as an important hub connecting the rapidly growing business class Information Technology corridor. The Peelamedu area stretches from Nava India to the Coimbatore International Airport near SITRA, encompassing major educational institutions, hospitals, and Industries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coimbatore Junction railway station</span> Railway junction in Coimbatore, India

Coimbatore Junction railway station, also known as Kovai Junction railway station, is a major railway station located in the city of Coimbatore in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the busiest railway stations in South India and serves as a gateway to the Nilgiri hills, a popular tourist destination. The station is operated by the Southern Railway zone of Indian Railways and has six platforms. Coimbatore is the second highest revenue generating station in the Southern Railway after Chennai Central and Egmore railway stations and is the station that generates about 45 percent of the revenue of the Salem Railway division.Coimbatore Junction is an important junction connecting major cities such as Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata. It also serves as a gateway to several popular tourist destinations such as Ooty and Kodaikanal

Ondipudur is a major residential neighbourhood of the city of Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, India. It is situated in the south-eastern part of the city. It is one of the well developed neighborhoods in the city and has been part of Coimbatore Corporation since 1981.

Ramanathapuram is a locality in Coimbatore city on the south eastern part of the city. It is one of the well developed neighborhoods in the city and has been part of Coimbatore Corporation since 1882.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coimbatore Bypass Road</span>

The Coimbatore Bypass Road refers to a series of bypasses connecting the various National Highways and State Highways passing through and originating in the South Indian city of Coimbatore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Railway stations in Coimbatore</span>

Coimbatore or Kovai is a major city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the second largest city and urban agglomeration in the state after Chennai and the sixteenth largest urban agglomeration in India. It is administered by the Coimbatore Municipal Corporation and is the administrative capital of Coimbatore district. It is one of the fastest growing tier-II cities in India and a major textile, industrial, commercial, educational, information technology, healthcare and manufacturing hub of Tamil Nadu. It is often referred to as the "Manchester of South India" due to its cotton production and textile industries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coimbatore Metro</span> Rapid transit system proposed for Coimbatore, India

Coimbatore Metro, also known as Kovai Metro, is a proposed rapid transit system for Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gandhipuram Central Bus Terminus</span>

The Gandhipuram Central Bus Terminus, commonly known as the Gandhipuram Bus Terminus, is a bus terminus in Coimbatore that serves intercity buses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ukkadam Bus Terminus</span>

Ukkadam Bus Terminus, popularly known as Ukkadam Bus Stand, is one of the bus terminus of Coimbatore City. It was opened in 1991 to ease congestion in the central bus stand at Gandhipuram.The bus stand was planned to accommodate town buses and buses to Pollachi and nearby places and Palakkad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Singanallur Bus Terminus</span>

Singanallur Bus Terminus is one of the seven bus terminus in the Coimbatore City. It predominantly serves Mofussil buses, although it also serves a few terminating intracity buses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Town Hall, Coimbatore</span> Coimbatore city in Tamil Nadu, India

Townhall is the core part of the city of Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, India. It is the largest and the major commercial hub in the city with locations such as Oppanakara Street, Raja Street, Ukkadam, VH Road and NH Road. The locality derives its name from the Victoria Town Hall, Coimbatore. It is centrally located in the city.

The Coimbatore Integrated Bus Terminus, commonly known as the CIBT, is the integrated bus terminus under construction in Podanur on Chettipalayam Road, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, to serve both intercity and intracity buses. Upon completion, it would be the largest bus station in the world with an area of 249,400 square metres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trichy Road, Coimbatore</span>

Trichy Road is an arterial road in Coimbatore, India. This road connects the city to Singanallur Bus Terminus and Sulur Air Force Station and the east and south-east suburbs in the Coimbatore metropolitan area. This road, along with Avinashi Road reveals Coimbatore's development, mostly along the eastern and western sides of these roads. It is considered to be one of the arterial roads with lesser traffic congestion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Singanallur</span> Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India

Singanallur is a major residential locality of the city of Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, India. It is located on the banks of Noyyal river, which runs to the southern boundary of the locality. It is situated in the eastern part of the city, and is a major hub for the inter-city bus services towards Southern and Central districts of Tamilnadu from the city. It is one of the well developed neighborhoods in the city and has been part of Coimbatore Corporation since 1981. The East Zone Office of Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation is located at Singanallur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gandhipuram Town Bus stand</span>

The Coimbatore Corporation Town bus stand, commonly known as the Gandhipuram Town BusTerminus, is a hub in Coimbatore for serves intracity buses within the Coimbatore metropolitan area.

Coimbatore is the second largest city in the state of Tamilnadu in India. The major arterial roads in the city are Avinashi Road, Trichy Road, Pollachi Road, Sathy Road, Palakkad Road, Mettupalayam Road and Thadagam Road. Coimbatore city is served by many flyovers. Avinashi road flyover in Coimbatore was built in 1974 and was the second flyover to be opened in Tamil Nadu after the Anna flyover in Chennai. It was also the first grade separator in India to have a roundabout.

Karanampettai is a town located in the Tiruppur district of Tamil Nadu, India. It is a suburb of Coimbatore.It lies on the National Highway 81. It is a part of Palladam taluk and Palladam which comes under the Coimbatore Parliament Constituency.

Nanjundapuram is a residential neighbourhood of the city of Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the well developed neighborhoods in the city and has been part of Coimbatore Corporation since 1981. The name "Nanjundapuram" is derived from the Nanjundeshwarar Temple located on the banks of Noyyal river.

Selvapuram is a major residential locality of the city of Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, India. It is located on the banks of Noyyal river, which runs to the northwestern boundary of the locality. It is situated in the northwestern part of the city, and is a major resedenial and industrial locality in the city. It is one of the well developed neighborhoods in the city and has been part of Coimbatore Corporation since 1866.

References

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