New roads to improve access to mass transit, arterial roads

Study suggests 85 new link roads, widening of 81 stretches; govt. approval awaited

All residential neighbourhoods that are more than 10 minutes walking distance from arterial roads or mass transit systems could get better connectivity, with a proposal to lay 85 new link roads and widen 81 stretches in 53 revenue villages in the first phase in the city and its suburbs.

After initiating a study in 2013, the School of Architecture and Planning, Anna University and School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada have submitted the report for identification of land for the new roads and for widening of existing roads in at least 150 sq km of the city and suburbs.

After obtaining the nod from the State government, the local bodies such as Chennai Corporation are expected to begin land acquisition and encroachment removal for the road project. “For example, the Corporation would have to develop new roads in Pallikaranai, Sholinganallur, Karapakkam, Okkiyam Thoraipakkam, Jalladampettai and Semmencheri. Thousands of residents in such areas have to walk long distances to reach the nearest public transit corridor or arterial road,” said an official.

Land acquisition may start in such areas for the project after inclusion of the stretches in the Master Plan. Similarly, several residential areas that have developed in municipalities such as Tambaram, Pallavaram and Poonamallee will get better road connectivity, if the State government approves the study’s recommendations.

Local bodies reluctant

Already, a few of the local bodies have said that some recommendations are not feasible. For example, the Poonamallee municipality officials said they may not be able to widen Ramanujam Koodam Street to 12 m in two revenue villages, Poonamallee and Agraharam. “This road is an important stretch connecting interior parts of Poonamalle Municipality and Poonamallee Trunk Road. The study team has requested that it may be considered,” said an official.

Similarly, widening of Gangai Amman Koil Street to 9 m in Poonamallee and Mangadu has been found to be ‘not feasible’ by the local body officials. The local body officials have also said that the widening of Thandarai Road, Nambi Street and Theradi Street to 12 m width is not feasible.

The widening of 81 roads that are feasible include Mannivakkam Main Road (15 m) in Kattankulathur, Samathuva Periyar Nagar Main Road (15 m) in Varadharajapuram and Kundrathur villages, M.K.Stalin Street (12 m) in Kattankulathur and Rajendra Prasad Road (12 m) near MIT Gate in Chromepet.

‘A challenge’

“Stretches such as Rajendra Prasad Road have developed a lot. There is thick, urban development. Residents may oppose the proposal for widening. It is going to be a challenge,” said an official. If officials manage to widen the stretch by acquiring land from residents, connectivity of Hastinapuram with St.Thomas Mount-Medavakkam Road may improve.

The study has also proposed the development of new roads such as Chembarambakkam Lake Road connecting State Highway 113 and National Highway 4.

“This road will have a width of 18 m, connecting inaccessible villages such as Malayambakkam, Meppur, Melagaram and Karanur in the vicinity of Chembarambakkam Lake,” said an official.

As the development regulations permit multi-storied buildings along roads with a width of 18 metres, such new roads are expected to promote urban development.