Japanese engineers referred by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will pitch in with advanced technology to build bridges and flyovers in the city.
The Greater Chennai Corporation has made various proposals pertaining to bridges and flyovers to reduce traffic congestion in the city.
But the projects failed to take off in the past four years owing to a fund crunch. Following a meeting on Monday, JICA is expected to fund bridges and flyovers in congested parts of the city.
“The engineers from Japan have suggested new technology to reduce cost, noise pollution and damage to buildings in congested neighbourhoods during the construction of flyovers and bridges,” said an official of the Greater Chennai Corporation.
Residents of areas such as T. Nagar, Kotturpuram, K.K. Nagar and Nungambakkam are expected to benefit from this alternative technology during the construction of flyovers in these congested areas. Noise pollution and damage to buildings in the vicinity were major concerns voiced by residents during public consultations conducted for the projects.
The flyovers are expected to reduce congestion on Usman Road, College Road, Sterling Road, Valluvar Kottam High Road Junction, Arcot Salai, K.K. Nagar 80 feet Road, Mandaveli Junction near Mandaveli Bus Stand Junction, Gandhi Mandapam Salai and Ponniamman Koil Salai junction, Kotturpuram.
In October 2015, the Chennai Corporation Council approved a project that involves construction of an elevated corridor at an estimated cost of Rs. 300 crore connecting Anna Salai and Mahalingapuram, along the contiguous South and North Usman Road stretch.
The project, which is estimated to cost Rs. 300 crore, was originally expected to be implemented in two stages. On completion of the corridor, vehicles will be able to reach Anna Salai from Loyola College in two minutes. This project may now be taken up.
Similarly, a major flyover to ease congestion between Ega Theatre and Thirumalai Pillai Road has been hanging fire. Funding was a major hurdle in implementation of the bridges’ project, said an official of the Chennai Corporation.
