Threat to safety: The underground sewage drain has been opened for the construction of the flyover at Ganesapuram, Vyasarpadi. It is posing a threat to commuters who walk through the construction site to avoid a circuitous route.
| Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam
Residents have complained about delays in the completion of flyovers across Chennai. They have demanded their completion before the northeast monsoon sets in this year. The construction of 14 flyovers and bridges is under way at an estimated cost of ₹647 crore in areas such as Ganesapuram, T. Nagar, Tondiarpet, Valasaravakkam, Choolaimedu, Tiruvottiyur, Vadaperumbakkam, and Royapuram.
T.K. Shanmugam, president, Federation of North Chennai Residents’ Welfare Associations, says residents are worried about the delay in the construction of the flyover at Ganesapuram because of the flood risk this northeast monsoon.
“Residents had demanded this flyover for more than 20 years. As the construction is tardy, we are worried about floods. More than five lakh residents, especially those of areas like Thiru.Vi.Ka. Nagar, depend on the Ganesapuram flyover to reach factories at Tiruvottiyur and Manali,” Mr. Shanmugam says.
Owing to the traffic diversions made for the construction of the flyover, the Mettupalayam subway and the narrow street at Aruntathiyar Colony are congested, some residents says.
Lack of coordination
The Ganesapuram flyover, which was expected to be completed in April, has been delayed owing to lack of coordination among the civic agencies. However, these agencies have taken alternative measures to expedite the work. “We will complete the flyover by September,” says an official. The flyover will be crucial to improving connectivity between Poonamallee High Road and Grand Northern Trunk Road during the northeast monsoon. The Ganesapuram subway, said to be Chennai’s lowest point, is frequently flooded during the northeast monsoon.
Corporation Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran conducted a meeting last week to expedite the construction of the bridges and the flyovers. To expedite the work, precast steel piers will be installed in flyovers whose construction has been delayed. Concrete piers take 27 days for installation, whereas precast steel piers need 24 hours, says an official.
Single entity to do the work
The Tamil Nadu government is planning to start execution of the flyover and bridge projects through a single entity. The bridges and flyovers, built by multiple agencies, were delayed in the past. For instance, the Ganesapuram flyover has been delayed as it is being built by the Railways and the Chennai Corporation. “Tasking a single entity with implementation of these structures will help close gaps in coordination. The implementation of a bridge is now done sequentially. So the Corporation will identify all workfronts and start the project simultaneously,” says an official.
The Ganesapuram flyover, the most important project for easing traffic congestion in north Chennai, was also held up for removal of encroachments and land acquisition. “Land acquisition will be expedited. Negotiations with local residents will be completed shortly. As many as 37 land parcels have to be acquired for the project,” says an official.
The construction of the flyover above the subway in Ganesapuram in Division 45 and Division 71 has been put at ₹226 crore.
Division 35 councillor S. Jeevan says the Corporation should also construct a flyover or widen the road near Melpatti Ponnappan Street and Madhavaram High Road to ease congestion. “The GNT Road near the Vysarpadi market is narrow. The Basin Bridge flyover will not provide any relief unless the stretch is widened,” he says.
Residents have also demanded the completion of the Usman Road flyover and proper traffic arrangement to prevent hardship to motorists in T. Nagar. V.S. Jayaraman, a resident of T. Nagar, says, “The GCC should hold consultations with the local residents before taking any decision on the Usman Road flyover.”
The construction of the Usman Road flyover along South Usman Road and CIT Nagar First Main Road, at an estimated cost of ₹₹164 crore, was to have been completed in December last year. Residents say that the work has been delayed. “The work will be completed by May-end,” says an official of the Corporation.
The construction of a rail overbridge for eliminating the level crossing no. 2B on Manali Road in Division 41 has also been taken up at an estimated cost of ₹96 crore. A bridge across the Cooum, connecting Poonamallee High Road and Union Road at Chinna Nolambur in Divisions 143 and 144, is being built at an estimated cost of ₹42 crore. A bridge across the Puzhal surplus canal at Vadaperumbakkam in Division 17 has started at an estimated cost of ₹22 crore. Land acquisition is also expected to gain momentum, officials say.
Held up for Metro Rail
The government has also directed the civic agencies and the district administration to expedite land acquisition for the flyovers whose construction is yet to start because of the Metro Rail project. “We will also start land acquisition for the Valluvar Kottam flyover. We could not start the project as the Metro Rail work has not been completed. So, the flyover work will begin later. But land acquisition will be completed immediately,” says an official.
Published – March 30, 2025 10:41 pm IST