If there is one positive thing that the repair work on Kodambakkam Flyover has given commuters, it is patience. The work, supposed to be completed in February, is gathering momentum only now with workers shifting their attention from under the bridge to the top of it.
For over a month, labourers have been working to even out the road surface of the flyover on one side. The other side is open for traffic, but buses and heavy vehicles still have to follow route diversions.
Removal of slum settlementsThe old road has been scrapped off and the cement road has been laid. Curing is being done to strength the surface. After this, the other side will be taken up for repair work. Work on the walkers’ path along the flyover and steps leading to it is yet to be started and it might be months before the flyover is completely opened to the public.
To facilitate work on the staircase leading to the flyover, slum settlements under the bridge were removed and people were sent off to tenements in Kannagi Nagar. While some have left, a few have remained complaining about lack of water and electricity supply in their new houses.
Meanwhile, the traffic situation remains chaotic, especially during the rush hour, due to the diversion. Areas such as Chakrapani Street Extension in West Mambalam, Rengarajapuram in Kodambakkam, which were hitherto calm neighbourhoods, are seeing a continuous flow of traffic. Residents complain that during the rush hour they are not able to the cross road.
