COIMBATORE: The Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC) is likely to start work on acquiring land for removing the S-bend at the Vilankurichi–Thaneerpandal Road junction and developing a roundabout.The proposal, initially suggested in 2022 with an approximate budget of Rs 6.55 crore, was designed to alleviate one of the major traffic congestion points in the city. This intersection, located in ward 24 of the east zone of the corporation, links Vilankurichi Road, Thaneerpandal Road, Codissia Road and Gandhima Nagar Road. It experiences substantial traffic all day long.The proposal involves acquiring 39.73 cents of land and widening the junction to eliminate the S-bend and improve vehicle movement. Out of the total project cost of Rs 6.55 crore, the corporation had sanctioned Rs 6.05 crore for land acquisition and Rs 50 lakh for the junction improvement, including construction of a roundabout.The acquisition involves around 12 landowners. Initially, owners had sought compensation of Rs 4,500 per sq ft for land and Rs 500 per sq ft for buildings. Following negotiations, the compensation was revised to Rs 3,500 per sq ft for both land and structures.The district administration had appointed a special district revenue officer (DRO) to expedite acquisition. A govt order approving the project was issued on Feb 27, while the DRO was appointed in March. However, the process was delayed by election-related duties and the model code of conduct.A senior corporation official said, “Landowners had not accepted the compensation amount earlier, following which a series of negotiation processes were carried out. During the latest negotiation meeting held early this month, an amicable agreement was reached, so the work on land acquisition should begin shortly. It is expected to start at least by the end of this month or by early next month.”
