Since its inauguration in 2006, the Madras Institute of Technology (MIT) flyover in Chromepet has done much for the region. It has reduced traffic congestion and provided easy access to Rajendra Prasad Road, Hasthinapuram and Chitlapakkam Main Road from Grand Southern Trunk (GST) Road.
The service lane on the Western side of the flyover leads to the Government Hospital, Tambaram.
Despite its importance, the flyover has been neglected. There are tell-tale signs of this, say residents.
“The space beneath the flyover has become an open toilet. On Nehru Nagar side, the space is used for dumping construction debris, cable wires and broken junction boxes. As this area lacks llumination, it has become a den for anti-socials. There are people who use this space to consume alcohol. Motorcycle mechanics have set up garages on this space. To put an end to such things, the State Highways Department should clear the bushes and landscape the area beneath the flyover. The bushes draw cattle.
However, several representations to the authorities concerned have gone in vain,” says V. Santhanam, president, The New Colony Residents Welfare Society.
Motorists complain that the grilled fences on the service lane on the western side, which were damaged in cyclone Vardah, are missing now.
Pedestrians complain that due to haphazard parking of vehicles on the service lanes, they are forced to walk in the middle of the road.
They have suggested that the State Highways Department facilitate the creation of a ticketed parking lot in the space under the flyover.
“If a parking lot is created, the entry and exit points should be clear so that it does not obstruct traffic. Also, a parking fee must be collected if vehicles are parked on the service lanes,” A. Vinod, a resident, said.
One of the police personnel deployed in the area said, “We have been warning people not to park their vehicles on the carriageway. We tow the cars and two-wheelers at periodic intervals, still illegal parking continues.”
