A 2.77-km elevated corridor between Ega theatre in Kilpauk on Poonamallee High (PH) Road and Valluvar Kottam junction on Thirumalai Pillai Road has been proposed. The project is aimed at reducing travel time and safer journey. According to the City Traffic Police, PH Road is the second most accident-prone stretch after Anna Salai. For the last few years, at least 35 accidents are reported every month between Maduravoyal and Broadway .
Some of the accident-prone spots on this stretch are Ega theatre junction, near Sangam theatre, certain spots near Maduravoyal flyover, Anna Arch junction and Aminjikarai junction.
In fact, most parts of the stretch were made one-way, not only to enable the smooth work of Metro Rail but also to prevent fatal accidents. “The proposed elevated corridor project assumes significance as it will not only save travel time but will also make one of the accident-prone zones safer ,” said a Corporation official.
The 2.77-km stretch between Ega Theatre junction at Kilpauk and Valluvar Kottam junction will have a flyover at Ega theatre junction, an additional rail-over-bridge parallel to the existing Guruswamy bridge on Chetpet lake, three interchanges in the form of a trumpet, and an elevated road starting from the ROB at Ega theatre to Valluvar Kottam junction with drop points connecting key arterial roads such as Spur Tank Road, Harrington Road, Sterling Road, College Road, Nungambakkam and Anna Salai.
Earlier this week, residents accepted the blue print of the project at a public consultation meeting held in Karnataka Sangha School, Habbibulah Road in T.Nagar.
At the meeting, the civic body along with Stup Consultants, which would execute the project, made a presentation for the integrated traffic plan.
“The plan is good on paper. The execution of the project within the stipulated time frame is going to be a challenge,” said K. Venketapaty, a resident of Kilpauk.
According to Corporation officials, of the estimated project cost of Rs.1,100 crore, Rs.750 crore has been allocated as compensation to owners of acquired land, especially 27,000 sq metres of private land along the stretch. The total land needed for the project is around 38,000 sq metres including 4,900 sq metres of open reservation land in Valluvar Kottam.
“Acquiring land will be a major task for the project managers. Litigations that arise as a result of dissatisfaction with the compensation will also delay the project,” said a Corporation official.
