The Kanuvai high-level bridge proposal in Coimbatore has moved closer to approval after the Water Resources Department indicated that it would consider a revised alignment designed to avoid disturbing nearby check dams. The existing low-level bridge between the upper and lower check dams is repeatedly submerged during monsoon floods, cutting access between Pannimadai and Kanuvai and isolating nearby villages.
The proposal follows district collector Pavankumar G Giriyappanavar’s direction to revise the alignment submitted by the State Highways Department. The earlier plan was rejected by the WRD because construction would have required disturbing parts of the existing check dam structure.
Water from villages along the Western Ghats foothills in north Coimbatore flows through Periya Pallam to the Somayampalayam check dam. It then fills the upper check dam at Kanuvai before moving towards the lower check dam. When heavy rain raises the water level, the causeway between the two structures is inundated, making the crossing unsafe and bringing traffic on the Pannimadai–Kanuvai road to a standstill.
The flooding affects several villages in the Periyanayakkanpalayam block of Coimbatore North taluk. S Sivaraja, secretary of Kausika Neerkarangal, said the stretch had begun experiencing frequent inundation after downstream releases from 2023. The organisation has sought a permanent high-level bridge connecting the Pannimadai road near the Kanuvai check dam.
The site was inspected on September 21 by the district collector, Kavundampalayam MLA Kanimozhi Santhosh and officials from disaster management, the WRD, rural development and the highways departments. Members of Kausika Neer Karangal submitted a memorandum during the inspection, seeking action on the long-pending bridge proposal.
“We have no objection to the construction of the high-level bridge. The collector advised altering the alignment. So, it does not affect the nearby check dam structures. Once the state highways department submits the revised proposal, further steps will be initiated,” M Sivakumar, assistant executive engineer, WRD, said.
Officials said the State Highways Department is expected to submit the revised proposal next year. In the immediate term, Sivaraja has urged the administration to install warning signboards and barricades near the causeway and arrange diversion measures for motorists. The demand comes as heavy rainfall is forecast over the next two days, when the existing crossing could again become unsafe.
