CM throws open Melamadai jn flyover to public

Madurai: Chief minister M K Stalin on Sunday inaugurated the four-lane Melamadai junction flyover in Madurai, which will serve as a crucial link for the city with Sivaganga. The ₹150 crore flyover has been named after freedom fighter Veeramangai Velu Nachiyar.Built on the arterial Madurai-Thondi Road (State Highway 33), the flyover will reduce travel time between Goripalayam and ring road by 10 minutes. It includes a 950-metre-long four-lane flyover, along with new roundabouts at the collectorate office junction, Aavin junction, and Melamadai junction. The project was announced by the chief minister in Jan 2022 to address long-pending traffic congestion in the area. Families paused to click selfies in front of the paintings that covered the new flyover, each mural depicting heritage landmarks of Madurai and other iconic sites. Near Aavin Junction, a statue of jallikattu became the centre of another cheerful moment on Sunday as a family celebrated a child's birthday by cutting a cake in front of the statue.The chief minister also inspected the ongoing Panthalkudi canal work being carried out at a cost of ₹69.2 crore. As part of the project, flood protection walls are being constructed on both sides of the canal. The canal floor is being converted into a concrete floor, and a two-metre-high wire mesh fence is being erected to prevent garbage dumping into the canal.Since several of the existing small bridges across the canal were found to be damaged, three such bridges are being reconstructed. Once completed, the embankments will be raised one metre above the existing bank level, and the concrete canal bed will ensure smoother water flow and prevent seepage. The fenced embankments aim to prevent littering and solid waste from entering the canal. Officials said these measures will significantly reduce flooding and waterlogging during monsoon, ensuring safer living conditions for residents. The chief minister earlier inspected the canal on May 31, and instructed officials to carry out development works. He now reviewed the progress of these works and directed officials to complete the project at the earliest.