Chennai: At least three infrastructure projects aimed to ease traffic congestion at railway level crossings in Chennai are moving at snail’s pace thanks to the poor coordination and bureaucracy between the state highways and the Southern Railway. As a result, motorists plying via level crossings at Korattur, Villivakkam and Perungalathur railway stations are forced to spend additional time on traffic and take detours-wasting fuel.
While the subway construction works at Villivakkam level crossing was mooted seven years back during the DMK regime, the project coming under DMK leader M.K. Stalin’s Kolathur constituency is yet to start.
Construction of flyover near Perungalathur railway station remains incomplete, causing hardship to motorists. (Photo: DC)
In the case of the subway near Korattur railway station, the project was started four years back and the level crossing (LC-4– Korattur) was closed in 2013. Railway officials promised the completion of the project by March 2017, but the civic project has missed its deadline and looks bleak with no signs of an early inaugural.
The delay in construct-ion adds to the stress of motorists who have to take long detours to co-ver small distances.
“We get late for work as there is no subway, which leads to traffic congestion during peak hours. At times, we are forced to travel around 10 km detour. School children also risk their lives by carrying cycles to cross the track when the LC gate is closed,” said V. Balaji, a commuter at Korattur railway station.
Delayed work on railway subway at Villivakkam railway station leads to traffic congestion during peak hours. (Photo: DC)
College student K. Kavia has to face a similar plight at Perungalathur railway station. “A flyover will ease the traffic congestion, as one can easily cross the railway track without wasting time,” she said.
According to Southern Railway official sources, the flyover between Perungalathur and Vandalur railway stations was proposed based on the train vehicle units (TVU), which is more than a lakh at the station. Railway officials claimed that they have completed around 75 percent of the work and blamed the state highways department for delaying the project.
When contacted the highways department, a senior official said that the preliminary works will be started soon as the contract works and arrangements for its commencement are underway. When asked about the status of Villivakkam subway the officials said that removal of encroachments was on the cards.
