The long wait at railway level crossings and confusing detours may soon be a thing of the past for residents of Korukkupet and Ennore. After more than a year’s delay, the localities will soon have small bridges across the North Buckingham canal.
Work on one of the bridges was started a few days ago to help residents of the fishing hamlets of Kattukuppam, Sivanpadaikuppam and Kadavukarangkuppam reach Ennore creek. Residents have been managing with a makeshift bridge for years now.
Officials of the water resources department, which is implementing the Rs. 1-crore project, said once the 40-metre-long and 2.5-metre-wide bridge is finished by March, residents will have better access to Ennore creek.
While residents of fishing hamlets are forced to use the makeshift bridge, those from Ezhil Nagar and Nehru Nagar, Korukkupet take the risk of walking on railway tracks.
Waiting for over an hour at the railway level crossing on Tondiarpet High Road to reach areas, including Madhavaram and Kodungaiyur, is a daily ordeal for Korukkupet residents. S. Bharani, a resident of Nehru Nagar, said there have been instances when ambulances wait at the railway crossing for long stretches of time. S. Santhanam, councillor of ward 38, said the single-lane bridges will help link 10 areas to other parts of north Chennai and help residents avoid vying for space with tankers proceeding to Ennore and Tiruvottiyur.
Work on the Rs. 70-lakh bridge across the North Buckingham canal linking Nehru Nagar and Ezhil Nagar, Korukkupet, will start in a few days. Officials said this was one of the last portions of work to be completed as part of the waterways improvement project.
