Delay in the completion of the flyover at Vysarpadi is taking its toll on motorists. Many spend at least half-an-hour crossing the congested, narrow subway beneath the flyover that is under construction. The project undertaken by the State Highways Department will connect the city with the Kolkata Highway (NH5). “For nearly five years, the project is being undertaken by the State Highways. Taking the subway is not only time-consuming but also risky as heavy vehicles heading towards Chennai port take the route and vehicles get struck on the railway track above the subway leading to a traffic jam,” said K.Sampath, a resident of Vysarpadi. This y-shaped four-lane flyover project, which is estimated to cost Rs. 88.68 crore, is said to be similar to the flyover at Rangarajapuram, T.Nagar.
As per the plan, the flyover takes off on Basin Bridge Road and divides into two-lanes — one reaching Erukkancheri High Road and the other, Sathyamurthy Nagar Main Road near Kalyanapuram. The ramp on the Erukkancheri High Road connects the northern part of the city with NH5.
The flyover is 1,720 metres long and 17.2 metres wide (capable of accommodating two buses at a time). Besides, it will have around 150 street lights including four high-mast lights, a stormwater drain and staircases for pedestrians to access the subway.
Originally, the flyover was sanctioned under the Chennai Metropolitan Development Programme along with the other flyovers at Moolakadai, Porur, Thirumangalam and Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar in 2006. However, as the project involved work on connecting the ramps over the railway tracks, Southern Railway was roped in.
Subsequently, the project was taken up under the Railways Works Scheme by the Highways on a 50-50 cost-sharing basis by the two government agencies. The work started in March 2010 and the 1.4 lakh sq ft pf land that was required was acquired in June, 2012. All these factors delayed the completion of the project.
“Work on the flyover is nearing completion with channels to discharge excess rain water and other facilities being constructed. We will complete the project soon,” said a State Highways official.
The flyover will replace the existing railway subway at Vysarpadi. The early completion of the project will ensure that hundreds of motorists do not have to use the water-logged subway during the monsoon.
