Work begins on flyovers at Periyar EVR Salai

Highways Minister Vellakoil M.P.Saminathan briefs about the flyover projects to Electricity Minister Arcot N.Veeraswami at the foundation stone laying ceremony in Anna Nagar on Monday. Mayor M.Subramanian is in the picture. Photo: R.Ragu

Nearly two lakh passenger car units using the stretch of Periyar E.V.R. Salai near Anna Nagar daily will soon be able to travel on a signal-free and decongested road. On Monday, the Highways Department commenced work to construct two flyovers and a vehicular subway on the stretch.

Speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony, Highways Minister Vellakoil M.P.Saminathan said measures were afoot for speedy execution of the Rs.117-crore project to construct the facilities on Periyar E.V.R. Salai at the junctions of Nelson Manickam Road and Anna Nagar Third Avenue.

The department has sought the approval of the other government agencies concerned to carry out the estimation work for land acquisition and shifting of utility service lines. Unlike other similar projects, the time taken for land acquisition would be less as the Highways department would carry out the works on behalf of other agencies, he said.

Of the land required for the project, nearly 2.10 hectares belong to government agencies and about 0.90 hectares were privately owned. Nearly Rs.26.01 crore has been allotted towards the land acquisition, Mr. Saminathan said.

Two pedestrian subways would be constructed on Periyar E.V.R. Salai as part of the project, he added.

Pointing out that Anna Nagar has developed tremendously over the past four decades, Electricity Minister Arcot N. Veeraswami, who laid the foundation stone for the projects, said motorists have tough time crossing the junctions and often have to wait for more than half an hour. The project must be completed within the stipulated period of two years, he said.

Mayor M.Subramanian highlighted the various projects taken up by the Highways Department and the Chennai Corporation to construct flyovers and vehicular subways in the city.

Officials of the Highways Department said that while one flyover would begin from Periyar E.V.R. Salai and land on Nelson Manickam Road, the other would start from Periyar E.V.R. Salai and end on Anna Nagar Third Avenue. The seven service roads would have a width ranging from 5.50 metre to 7.50 metre. The vehicular subway would facilitate smooth flow of traffic from Anna Nagar to Koyambedu. It is estimated that the projects would contribute to fuel conservation worth Rs.58.4 crore every year for the vehicles using the facilities, the officials said.