Encroachments near Doveton flyover removed

By R. K. Radhakrishnan

CHENNAI, NOV. 25. Doveton looks unrecognisable today, 18 months after the Chennai Corporation took up work on the last set of flyovers.

The transformation of this part of north Chennai, long considered irredeemable, once again seems to prove that the Corporation can deliver when it decides to act. A set of more than three-decade- old encroachments near the new Doveton flyover was removed by the Corporation with little resistance.

A park at the junction of the flyover, which was completely overrun by encroachers, was reclaimed and is being beautified. the century-old clock tower has been repaired and given a fresh coat of paint.

The machinery swung into action as the flyover was being given its final touches. ``It was a difficult affair to remove the encroachers. We discussed the issue, considering the number of years they have been here,'' says the Chennai Mayor, Mr. M. K. Stalin. ``Finally we called them and provided alternative sites. They were satisfied with the sites and agreed to move from here,'' he adds.

Officials point out that this was one set of encroachments which they had found difficult to relocate in the past, mainly due to resistance from the encroachers. But the new Corporation line, centering around talking to people in the area and making them realise, seems to have yielded the right results.

Shopkeepers in the area, who were worried when the work on the flyover began, say they are a relieved lot now. ``We lost all business in these months when construction was on. But with the work nearly over and so much of parking available, we already see an increase in the customers coming to our shops,'' says an affected textile retailer.

As an added incentive, the entire stretch along the flyover and nearby areas has been covered by white metal-halide lighting. A Rs. four-crore metal halide high mast lamp has also been installed at the Doveton junction. The Pantheon Road flyover and the entire road too, will spot the costlier, but longer-lasting metal halide lamps.

The Corporation was not resting on its laurels, the Mayor said, and added that the civic body was exerting pressure on the Government for an early sanction of the next set of flyovers and traffic congestion reduction plans. ``We proposed a total of seven flyovers. Out of this only five have been found to be feasible. We will push for an early start to these,'' he said.

It was the eighth meeting of the traffic improvement committee, chaired by the Chennai Mayor in August this year, which drew up ambitious proposals to relieve the city of traffic bottlenecks at various points within the next decade. The committee had recommended construction of flyovers at Chamiers Road - Turnbulls Road junction; North Usman Road - Mahalingapuram Road junction; Gopati Narayan road - Thirumalai Road junction; Medavakkam High Road - Konnur High Road junction and South Usman Road - Duraisami Road junction.

On the question of the possibility of a road formation along the banks of the Cooum and Adyar rivers, the Mayor said this was being looked into in an integrated matter as part of the waterways improvement project. A study, being carried out by the Public Works Department, is progressing well on both the stretches - behind Connemara-Spencer Plaza and between Kotturpuram and Malar hospital at Adyar.

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Section  : Southern States
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