The Parthasarathi flyover, also known as the Old Mint flyover at Old Washermenpet, is being threatened by weathering and an overgrowth of shrubs.
Built in the early 1950s, the flyover is one of the oldest facilities in north Chennai to provide connectivity for hundreds of motorists to reach the main city, especially Chennai Central and Anna Salai.
Traders from areas such as Old Washermenpet, Korukuppet, Tondiarpet, New Washermenpet, Manali, Kodungaiyur and Tiruvottiyur use the flyover to reach the wholesale hubs at Broadway, Flower Bazaar, Choolai, Periyamet, Purasawakkam, Royapettah and Egmore.
“For many years, the flyover was the only source of connectivity for areas close to Chennai Central. It also served as a short-cut for those seeking to avoid taking congested Royapuram bridge, while trying to reach the main city,” said K. Prakash, a trader from Tondiarpet.
After many years of neglect by the Chennai Corporation, which is in-charge of maintenance of flyovers within city limits, the Parthasarathi flyover got weakened mainly due to weathering. There are visibly wide cracks on its pillars. They are also ‘plastered’ with an overgrowth of shrubs.
The expansion joint have weakened further due to water seepage. Iron rods are exposed to the elements in many spots. The space beneath the flyover has been rented out to small traders. Most of these shops are small manufacturing units that make steel utilities and spares for industrial units.
To add to this, the continuous deep drilling, as part of the on-going Metro Rail work, at the old Mint terminus beneath the flyover is threatening it.
Corporation officials said the local body is planning to strengthen all flyovers and bridges built more than three decades ago. Early this year, the civic body started repair work on the 1965-built flyover at Kodambakkam at a cost of Rs 3.92 crore. “We would take the repair work at the Parthasarathi flyover soon. Efforts would be taken to allocate adequate funds to do the repair work,” said a Corporation official.
