The proposed flyovers in Kotturpuram and K.K. Nagar are likely to grow bigger, covering more junctions in the vicinity.
The first public consultation on the flyovers, organised by Chennai Corporation on Friday, emerged a stepping stone for expansion and redesign of the proposed four-lane structures. These are expected to ease traffic congestion around the junctions of Arcot Salai-K.K. Nagar 80 Feet Road and Gandhi Mandapam Salai-Ponniamman Koil Salai in Kotturpuram.
A number of residents at the public consultation voiced their concerns about the existing designs, pointing to local factors in their neighbourhood that would make them unviable.
“We suggested widening of Ponniamman Koil Salai. The flyover may cause congestion if the service road remains narrow. The existing design may cause inconvenience to residents,” said Gomathi Nayagam, a resident of Ponniamman Koil Salai.
The passenger car units at the junction per hour have been found to be 8,000 and are likely to touch 10,000 in three years.
Corporation officials said the proposed flyover, estimated to cost Rs. 76 crore, at the junction in Kotturpuram would be 815 metre long. It will start at a point around 120 metre from Anna University gate and end near Kottur Garden First Main Road. The flyover will reduce the waiting time at the junction to 30 seconds from the current 136 seconds, officials said.
The proposed flyover at Arcot Salai-K.K. Nagar 80 Feet Road junction was designed to extend over a stretch of 1.3 km, crossing three junctions of Arunachalam Road, 80 feet road and Reddy Street. The passenger car units at the junction were estimated to be around 8,900 per hour. Over 60 percent of the traffic in the area will pass through the flyover.
Participants at the public consultation stressed the need for extending the flyover to the Big Bazaar junction, covering two more junctions. If the proposal is implemented, the length of the flyover may be around 2.6 km. A hospital near Vadapalani bus stand too may be demolished if the flyover is realigned.This proposal will require another study and increase the cost of the project from Rs. 110 crore to around Rs. 300 crore, an official said. “A social impact assessment might have to be done before the next public consultation,” an official said.
Mayor Saidai Duraisamy, last year, had proposed to conduct feasibility studies for construction of flyovers at the junction of Arcot Salai in Saligramam and K.K. Nagar 80 Feet Road, the Mandaiveli junction near the Mandaiveli bus stand junction, Bharathi Salai and Royapettah Clock Tower junction, and the junction of Gandhi Mandapam Salai and Ponniamman Koil Salai in Kotturpuram. The study for the facility at the junction of Bharathi Salai and Royapettah Clock Tower however did not take off due to traffic diversions in place for Metro Rail work.
The World Bank-funded project of the flyovers will be implemented based on modifications to the designs, suggested by residents. “Public opinion is a must in this project,” a Corporation official said.
