Government orders inquiry against officials involved in construction of Periyanaickenpalayam flyover in Coimbatore

The Tamil Nadu government has appointed an authority to inquire against officials who were involved in the construction of a flyover at Periyanaickenpalayam in Coimbatore district.

In an order dated September 30, 2025, the Highways Secretary R. Selvaraj said the government has appointed D. Baskara Pandian, Project Director, Tamil Nadu Road Sector Projects, as the Inquiry Officer, who will submit a report in 45 days.

“The said Inquiry Officer is directed to conduct the inquiry following the procedure laid down in rule 17 (b) of the Tamil Nadu Civil Services (Disciplinary and Appeal) Rules and send the report to the Government expeditiously,” the order said. The disciplinary proceedings are quasi-judicial in character, it added.

The authority is appointed following a representation from the secretary of the Coimbatore Consumer Cause to the Prime Minister’s office about “faulty design against IRC norms and improper connection of service road to the flyover.” On April 21, the PMO wrote about appointing an inquiry authority.

The secretary of the consumer organisation K. Kathirmathiyon alleged in a letter to the PMO in January this year that the public face safety issues and several difficulties due to poor planning and execution of the 1.8 km flyover constructed at ₹115 crore. The officials claim that it is due to “site condition”. The pre-opening – road safety audit by Eclat Engineering consultant, Hyderabad, said to be carried out on December 6, 2023 does no mention about the “serious safety lapse i.e. merging of the service road with the main carriageway – at the end of the down ramp, though it is at “0” point by sharp right turn at 90 degrees and is totally against IRC norms.” The storm water drains are not constructed and there are no streetlights on the flyover, he alleged.