The residents and commuters of Ayothiyapattinam demanded a flyover at the Ayothiyapattinam railway gate due to frequent closure of the railway gate and traffic congestion.

Ayothiyapattinam Junction is 10 k.m. away from Salem old bus stand. The buses heading to Attur, Kallakurichi, Villupuram and Chennai have to pass this junction to pick up passengers. Likewise, buses, lorries and other vehicles heading to Belur, Kuppanur, Valaisaiyur, Sukkampatti, Harur, Uthangarai, Thirupattur, Tiruvannamalai and Vellore have to cross the railway gate at Ayothiyapattinam. Likewise, through this railway gate, trains heading to Virudhachalam, Chennai, and Karaikkal would pass every day. Similarly, weekly express trains and goods trains also pass this gate.

Due to this, more than ten times per day, this railway gate closes for the passing of trains. While the gate was closed, hundreds of vehicles stopped on both sides, and while the gate opened, it needed more than 30 minutes to clear the traffic. To reduce the traffic congestion, local people and commuters are demanding to construct a flyover over this junction.

S. Murugesan, a lorry driver, said that he travels to Harur and Salem to load and unload vegetables every day. In the morning and evening, during school and college opening and closing times, the traffic movement would be affected at this junction. “At that time, while the railway gate is closed, it would take more time to pass the railway gate as vehicles wait in a long queue. People waiting to catch buses in the locality also struggle to cross the road while the gate is opened,” he added.

Demanding a flyover at the Ayothiyapattinam junction, R. Lakshmaman, a resident, said that as all heavy vehicles are heading to Harur, Uthangarai, Vellore and Tiruvannamalai, accidents are also occurring frequently, especially in the locality. The roads for a few kilometres from the Ayothiyapattinam railway gate are narrow due to the presence of houses and commercial establishments. So, a flyover is the only option to reduce accidents. The State government is to take steps in this regard, he added.