Chennai: The inordinate delay in the construction of the Vandalur flyover on the GST road has put into trouble both residents and motorists alike to a large extent. It was 2016, when the construction of the flyover was handed over to officials of the State Highways (SH).
However, problems started in the beginning itself as officials floundered to float a tender to find out a contractual agency. Finally, the state highways department passed the responsibility to an agency, which started work on the 711-metre-long six-lane flyover, which was supposed to have been completed much earlier this year.
While the State Highways (SH) officials claim that they would complete the works by this year-end, motorists and public demand that the department speed up the work to ease traffic snarls on such a busy stretch.
According to sources in the State Highways department, the project was sanctioned in 2016 at a cost of Rs 55 crore. Initially, at one point, work was stalled in the mornings citing heavy traffic, and it progressed only during nights.
“It is not that easy to construct such a flyover, that too on such a busy road. However, we are firm that the works should be completed within the stipulated time. Now, a score of girders have been put in place,” said an official.
Since this flyover will help diverting vehicles to the Southern parts of the state and other districts like Kanchipuram and Chengalpattu, traffic will steadily decline at this point, added the official.
Meanwhile, both motorists and the public demanded that the officials accelerate the project. “It is true that the construction is a daunting task. But, officials should have properly planned before taking it up so that the work could be completed soon,” said A Murugan, a resident of Vandalur.
When contacted by DC, Senthil, Divisional Engineer, Chengalpattu, exuded confidence saying they would complete the work by December 2018. “We are aware that traffic volume in this stretch is gradually on the rise. But, traffic congestion will ease once the work is over.”
The official also added that they earlier had to face other major hurdles like land acquisition and endless traffic which also largely contributed to the project delay.
