For many years, K. Seethuraman, a resident of Anna Nagar, would start his day with a morning walk on 13th Main Road in the company of an old friend As they strolled, the two friends would discuss politics, sports and their lives. Now, they hardly meet, let alone go an a morning walk together on 13th Main Road. Their routine came to an end five years ago when traffic in the neighbourhood was diverted to facilitate the work on the flyover in Tirumangalam, which is under construction.
The streets turned chaotic, noisy and dusty as it took the entire burden off Jawarharlal Nehru (JN) Main Road, between Koyambedu junction and Padi flyover, a distance of around two kilometres. “Earlier, these street lanes were quiet and clean with only a few vehicles occupying the roads. Now, one can find MTC buses, maxi cabs and share autos using them. The noise due to the traffic is unbearable,” says Seethuraman.
Seethuraman and his friend aren’t the only ones who have a problem. Other residents feel the same way. “We are not against development. But, such infrastructure projects should be completed within a time frame. Development works in the neighbourhood, especially the work on the flyover Tirumangalam, have been dragging on for years causing inconvenience to residents, many of who are elders,” says S. Nachiappan, a retired bank staff from Anna Nagar.
Every day, hundreds of vehicles from Padi, Ambattur, Red Hills, Korattur, Kolathur, Thirumullavoyal, Annoor, Mogappair use the street lanes in Anna Nagar to reach the central parts of the city. The J.N Main Road between Koyambedu and Padi flyover has been made a one-way to facilitate the ongoing flyover work at Tirumangalam. As a result, motorists from Padi have to take 18th Main Road, 13th Main Road and Fourth Avenue Road to reach Anna Nagar roundtana, Chinathamani and Anna Arch. During rush hour, motorists skip these routine routes and take the small street lanes in the neighbourhood to reach the PH Road either at Aminjikarai market or at Anna Arch.
“Continuous movement of share autos and MTC buses on designated street lanes has made life terrible for residents of the locality. Early completion of the flyover work at Tirumangalam including its service lanes would end our woes,” says R. Sakthi, a resident of Tirumangalam.
Anna Nagar is a posh neighbourhood where many senior citizens, mainly retired government officials, reside. Sudden rise in noise and pollution is a cause for concern for them. According to the police and the Chennai Corporation, the flyover work at Tirumangalam has faced delays, at least five times, for various reasons, including land acquisition and change in design by the state highways department. Started in December 2010, the flyover work should have been completed in mid-2012. At present, workers with the state highways department are constructing a ramp on the Koyambedu side of the flyover and it is expected to get completed this year.
