CHENNAI: Chennaiities can expect smooth flow of traffic from next year with the construction of 10 flyovers and two vehicular subways. The facilities are coming up in key intersections of Chennai, which are witnessing traffic chaos, in the light of growing vehicular population.
While the flyovers are being constructed at Rangarajapuram, Basin Road, Thangasalai, Vyasarpadi, Tirumangalam, Moolakadai, Vadapalani, Thiru.ViKa. bridge at Adayar, Porur and the Nerkundram-Mogappair Road, the construction of two subways are underway including one near the Stanley Hospital in North Chennai.
The works being carried out at a cost of `400 crore are the initiatives of the Chennai Corporation, Highways Department and the railways in few areas.
According to Deputy Chief Minister MK Stalin, all the flyover and vehicular subway projects are under progress, which are aimed at easing the traffic congestion in the respective areas. Inspecting the construction of Villivakkam subway on Sunday, he said that the construction works of the subway would be completed by the end of June.
The two-way Villivakkam subway happens to be one of the much awaited facility for the locals, linking the Villivakkam bus terminus and the 200-feet road. Pointing out that the subway would be a huge relief for the nine-lakh residents of Kolathur, Konnur, Baba Nagar, Senthil Nagar and other residential colonies surrounding Villivakkam, a local stated that the construction activities were moving at a snail pace for many years since the works began four years ago.
“However, we are happy that the subway is likely to be inaugurated in the near future, as tens and thousands of vehicles, including passengers of Metropolitan Transport Corporation fleets would be benefited," he added.
The subway is jointly developed by the Chennai Corporation and railways, with a length of 448 metres long and 13 metres wide at a cost of `34.16 crore, of which the civic body’s share is `13.40 crore. It (subway) has been designed taking the cyclists in mind with two exclusive cycle paths have been provided on the both sides.
A total number of 11 flyovers were built in Chennai and its fringes such as Kathipara, Padi, Koyembedu, Airport, Perumbur Loco Works, North Usman Road, Usman Road, Kalaivanar flyover, Abraham flyover, Pavala Vanann flyover at Saidapet and the Moopanar flyover in Nandanam at a cost of `803 crore during the last four-and-half years, a release from the Chennai Corporation stated.