Chennai: The state highways department and NHAI’s hurried roadblocks on key arterial routes like Anna Salai, Sardar Patel Road, and Poonamallee High Road are compounding Chennai’s already chaotic traffic situation. These roads, previously serving as diversions for metro rail construction, are now barricaded for three long-delayed projects: the Saidapet-Teynampet flyover, the L-shaped bridge at Madhya Kailash, and the Port-Maduravoyal elevated corridor.
Unlike Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), which systematically coordinates diversions and construction schedules, the highways department’s rushed closures to compensate for delays are expected to worsen congestion in the weeks ahead. Experts point out that these arterial roads already handle over 2 lakh vehicles daily, and further narrowing them or diverting additional traffic will only worsen the chaos.
Critics have questioned the necessity of building a new flyover on Anna Salai, which was largely free of delays during most parts of the day, thanks to strategically placed U-turns. “Instead of spending crores on this project, the traffic police already implemented a cost-effective solution to ease congestion,” said V Raghavan, a resident of Todd Hunter Nagar. “Even if the govt viewed the flyover as a long-term solution, it should have waited for CMRL works in Nandanam and T. Nagar to finish. Starting now, when traffic is unmanageable, makes no sense.”
Both Anna Salai and Poonamallee High Road endured significant disruptions during CMRL Phase I works between 2015 and 2019. Residents only recently began to experience relief, but with the new highway barricades, the roads are once again shrinking. “This just highlights the lack of proper planning,” said S. Kamal, a transportation activist.
Unlike Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), which systematically coordinates diversions and construction schedules, the highways department’s rushed closures to compensate for delays are expected to worsen congestion in the weeks ahead. Experts point out that these arterial roads already handle over 2 lakh vehicles daily, and further narrowing them or diverting additional traffic will only worsen the chaos.
Critics have questioned the necessity of building a new flyover on Anna Salai, which was largely free of delays during most parts of the day, thanks to strategically placed U-turns. “Instead of spending crores on this project, the traffic police already implemented a cost-effective solution to ease congestion,” said V Raghavan, a resident of Todd Hunter Nagar. “Even if the govt viewed the flyover as a long-term solution, it should have waited for CMRL works in Nandanam and T. Nagar to finish. Starting now, when traffic is unmanageable, makes no sense.”
Both Anna Salai and Poonamallee High Road endured significant disruptions during CMRL Phase I works between 2015 and 2019. Residents only recently began to experience relief, but with the new highway barricades, the roads are once again shrinking. “This just highlights the lack of proper planning,” said S. Kamal, a transportation activist.
