The Hindu 15.06.2013
Public opinion to shape flyovers
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.
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. 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.
Residents suggest modifications to designs of proposed facilities in Kotturpuram, K.K. Nagar.
