Rail overbridge to ease traffic woes:

The Southern Railway is planning to construct a two-way railway overbridge (ROB) from the Avinashi Road flyover to Coimbatore Junction to reduce traffic congestion on the road leading to the station.

Vehicles carrying train passengers, including taxis and autorickshaws, will be able to use the proposed overbridge. “People who can afford taxis or autorickshaws will be able to reach the station easily. But several people depend on buses to reach the station. So, railway authorities should allow government and private town buses to drop passengers in front of the proposed buildings,” said K Kathirmathiyon, secretary of Coimbatore Consumer Cause.

Railway authorities also should take steps to provide facilities at all platforms, the activist said. “If a senior citizen is waiting at platform number 1 for a train for a while and the train arrives at platform number 5, it would be very difficult for her to go to the platform, lugging luggage through the busy station. Authorities should set up escalators at all platforms.”