Experts oppose flyover expansion

 

The Corporation council had, last month, approved Rs 290.99 crore scheme to link Anna Salai with Mahalingapuram by connecting North and South Usman Road. "The travel time from Mount road to Mahalingapuram would be just two minutes when the flyover is extended," Mayor Saidai Duraisamy had said.

 

Experts from the Institute of Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) have, however, stated that extending the flyover is ‘not the way forward’ for a city aspiring to be smart. "This is being done keeping in mind private vehicles only. But the local body doesn’t realise that in five years time, the new flyover too would reach its saturation point. What are they going to do then? Extend it even further?" asked Advait Jani of ITDP. Basically, this structure will become obsolete even before it is opened for public use," he added.

 

T Nagar residents also spoke against the execution of the project in a detailed statement shared with media houses. Crucially, they highlighted the importance of making the service lanes navigable for emergency vehicles.

 

"If the proposed extension happens, then bus commuters won’t be able to alight at stops like T Nagar bus stand, Viveks, Bharati Nagar / Bazulla road etc. Ditto for the opposite direction also,”  the residents noted in the statement.

 

During the construction, buses will have to take a six km detour before being able to continue the journey on planned routes. However, corporation officials told DC that the resistance for the project comes because of a lack of understanding of the concept. “The clogging on Usman Road would be completely eradicated because the ramp would be replaced with a single pier. There will be more space available,” said a senior official.