A new link road connecting the Grand Northern Trunk (GNT) and the Inner Ring Road (IRR) will become a possibility in six months, with the Highways Department preparing estimates for the road with service lanes.
Sources in the Department said that the 4 km long six-lane road will run from Puzhal to Mathur via Madhavaram and Manjambakkam.
The road had been proposed in the 1980s and will help reduce traffic congestion at the Puzhal junction.
Traffic from Ambattur proceeding to Ennore, CPCL and Manali would be able to take this road. The road would form a sort of a triangle with the IRR on east, the GNT on the south and the new road on west.
A vast portion of the road runs through existing roads that were formed when the layouts were made in the area. Ever since the Highways Department took up the project a few years ago, residents in the area have been protesting.
Land frozen long ago
“The land had been frozen for the project and funds had been distributed to land owners several decades ago. Most of the present house owners are not the original settlers on these lands,” explained a source.
The six-lane road is essential since it touches two major roads that have a similar width.
‘Develop interior roads’
“Both these roads carry a lot of traffic. If this new road runs through residential localities, the safety of the residents must be taken into account. Though it could reduce traffic at the Puzhal junction, it could lead to increased heavy vehicle traffic in these areas. Along with this road, the interior roads connecting with it should be widened and strengthened,” said N. Kumar, a resident of Puzhal.