Transport in Coimbatore

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Coimbatore International Airport Front View

Coimbatore has a well-developed transport infrastructure. The city and its suburbs is traversed using its road networks. Coimbatore is well connected by Road, Rail and Air with most cities and towns in India except through waterways. The city has fairly better transport infrastructure, 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 is made part of Coimbatore Masterplan as part to ease many of traffic problems.

Roads

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

The city and metropolitan area are served by major arterial roads that run either in an east-west or north-south direction . Avinashi road is one of the city's most important arterial road. It traverses most of central and east Coimbatore (National Highway 47) connecting the metropolis of Bangalore, Chennai. The road runs in a West-east direction. Other arterials include Trichy Road (Central-Southeast), Mettupalayam Road (North-South), Sathy Road (South-North East), Palkkad Road(East-West), Pollachi Road(North-South) and Thadagam Road (east-west). Maruthamalai Road starts at the intersection of Lawley Road Junction and connects Vadavalli and extends up to Maruthamalai foothills. Other roads include 100 feet road, Bharatiyar Road, Dr.Nanjappa Road, Balasundarum Road, Cross cut Road in Gandhipuram Area, Diwhan Bahadhur Road(DB Road), TV Swamy Road, Brooke Bond Road in RS Puram Areas, Race Course Road etc. In January 2012, the Coimbatore Corporation announced that they would be laying around 10 roads by mixing plastic.[1]

National highways

Six major National Highways radiate outward from Coimbatore:

  • NH47(Avinashi road) towards Salem leading to Bangalore and Chennai.
  • NH47(Pallakad road) towards Trichur, Kochi and Trivandram
  • NH 67(Trichy Road) towards Karur, Tichy, Thanjavur and Nagapattinam.
  • NH 67(Mettupalayam Road)towards Ooty and Gudalur leading to Karnataka and Kerala.
  • NH 209(Sathy Road) towards Sathyamangalam, Chamrajnagar, Bangalore.
  • NH 209(Pollachi Road) towards Palani, Dindigul.

Ring roads

There is a major bypass Built by L&T from Neelambur to Madukkarai on NH 47 which intersects trichy road at Chintamani Pudur near Irugur and Eachanari in Pollachi Road.[2]

The Coimbatore Corporation is undertaking the construction of six Rail-Over-Bridges in the city.[3]

The National Highways Authority of India has also invited feasibility studies to upgrade the National Highway connecting Pollachi and Bannari passing through the city.[4]

Public transport

For the proposed bus rapid transit systems, see Coimbatore BRTS
Low floor bus from JNNURM for Coimbatore city
MTP road bus station, all north bound buses towards Ooty,Gudalur and beyond start from here

Most of Coimbatore's intra-city transport requirements are met by an extensive public transport. The bus service, which is run by the government-owned TNSTC Coimbatore covers the city and its suburbs. A large number of intra-city private buses operate within the city. Bus services are generally considered efficient, but buses on some routes can get very crowded at times. The bus service, which plies about 1257 buses on 322 routes. The city is also served by auto rickshaws. The growth of call taxis is also on the rise.

In addition to the bus service, private metered call taxis and fixed-rate tourist taxis are available at all entry points to the city like airport, bus terminus and railway stations. Vans which are run like bus services and popularly called "Maxi Cabs" also ply on many routes in the city. The outlying suburban areas of the city are also served by private mini bus company services as well as government bus transport corporations of neighbouring districts.

The city has a very high vehicle-to-population ratio. Town buses started operations in 1921. Town bus services serve most parts of the city, as well as other towns and villages in the district. Buses also connect the district with all major towns in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Pondicherry and Andhra Pradesh. The number of inter-city routes operated by Coimbatore division is 119 with a fleet of more than 500 buses. Despite a sharp increase in the number of four-wheelers in the city, ]s and motorscooters are still very prevalent, all of which are preferred to cars due to their affordability, fuel efficiency, maneuverability, and ease of parking.

List of Moffusil and Town Bus Stands

List of TNSTC Coimbatore depots in Coimbatore City

  • Head-Office Branch(City & Moffusil)
  • Upppilipalayam(Moffusil only)
  • Sungam-1(City & Moffusil)
  • Sungam-2(City only)
  • Ukkadam-1(City & Moffusil)
  • Ukkadam-2(City & Moffusil)
  • Ondipudhur-1(City only)
  • Ondipudhur-2(Moffusil only)
  • Marudhamalai(City only)
  • Ondipudhur-3(City & Moffusil)

also Annur,Pollachi-3,Mettupalayam-1,Karumathampatti & Palladam depots operate City Services for Coimbatore

Air

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Main article: Coimbatore International Airport

Coimbatore Airport (IATA: CJB, ICAO: VOCB) is a major airport mostly serving Coimbatore and its suburbs in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The Coimbatore International Airport is the second busiest airport in Tamil Nadu after Chennai International Airport, in terms of passenger traffic, cargo traffic as well as aircraft movement. The Coimbatore International Airport serves as the city's airport for both domestic and international flights. The airport consists of separate International terminal and the Domestic terminal, and handles domestic as well as international flights. The city is connected to major hubs in South Asia, South East Asia and Middle East through over eight international carriers. The Airport lies around 18 km from the city centre and is accessible by road and rail transport services.

This airport is undergoing modernisation and expansion of the runway, including the alteration of an additional terminal. Furthermore, a new greenfield airport will be constructed in Nellambur and nearby areas to serve the city's better air connectivity, after the expansion of the runway which will be second longest runway in South India about 12,500 ft. The present terminal buildings in Peelamedu will be used for cargo purpose.

Other airports in the metropolitan area include the Indian Air Force base at Sulur. Sulur Air Force Station was established in 1940 by the British Royal Navy.

Railways

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See also: Indian Railways and Coimbatore Monorail

Coimbatore Junction, also known as Kovai Junction, is the primary railway station serving the city of Coimbatore. It has six platforms. It is a Major Railway junction in South India and the second busiest and revenue yielding railway station in Tamil Nadu. Many trains from Kerala to other parts of the country pass through Coimbatore Junction apart from 18 pairs of terminating express trains. It is one of the top booking stations in India according to Indian Railway.[5][6][7]

Coimbatore railways has unique infrastructure to host circular railway as it has similar bus service inside the city limits. Future potential, utility and savings are huge once such circular railway linking Coimbatore, Coimbatore north, Peelamedu, Irugur and podanur before touching Coimbatore junction back. Another unique infrastructure that can be utilized better is the 4 radiating rail routes from Coimbatore junction and next town at 40 km each from there. It is a golden opportunity for EMUs criss crossing with best convenience and efficiency. The other junctions are located at Coimbatore North Junction (2.6 km away from 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)[8]

See also

References

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