According to news reports, the new flyover at TIDEL park junction has caused a significant amount of traffic disorder. The U-shaped flyover is meant to offer commuters a direct connection from SRP tools junction to Madhya Kailash but has proven itself poorly designed. Access to the flyover is reportedly part of the problem, with motorists facing delays on the one-kilometre stretch between the Thiruvanmiyur Railway Station and SRP Tools junction. The Times of India reports that some commuters resorted to removing barricades to make space for their two-wheelers, prompting the traffic police to do away with the new restrictions and revert to the old system. The new flyover is said to have cost Rs. 89.6 crores, and the U-bridge inaugurated on the same line in 2023, Rs. 18.5 crores.
Flyovers are regularly presented as a solution to ease traffic congestion and are much-touted infrastructure projects. But even when well-designed their utility has always been subject to debate. Not only are they enjoyed by a disproportionately small percentage of road users (viz. vehicle owners) but their benefits often turn out to be short-term gains – with the number of vehicles on the road burgeoning every passing year, it is only a matter of time before the need arises for a fresh solution. Most experts agree that flyovers simply don’t solve the problem of traffic. The global trend in fact is to spend more on public transport infrastructure and roll out initiatives that discourage private cars on roads. But Chennai, it seems, is planning otherwise.
Source: The Hindu
The city has several flyovers under construction, many of which are also delayed, to boot. Some projects that have swallowed investments and remain incomplete include the partially-opened Rs. 52 crore Pattabiram flyover which has been under construction for nearly six years; the Rs. 226 crore Vyasarpadi-Pulianthope flyover that is only 40 per cent complete since the past two years; the Rs 96 crore Korukkupet-Kodungaiyur flyover which has been stuck for two years; and the Rs. 130 crore flyover between Anna Salai and Panagal Park which was to have been completed last year. These are but a few examples. Between the heavy budgets and the traffic restrictions that accompany construction, it is the city exchequer and commuters who are paying a steep price.
It is expected that the Comprehensive Mobility Plan will be updated in the second week of March this year. It would serve the public well if the focus were to shift away from the relatively small population of vehicle owners. What the city truly needs is a vast mass rapid transit network with great last-mile connectivity; and given that many residents have reportedly put forth demands for better bus and rail services in their localities, such a plan is likely to be warmly welcomed by the people as well. A strong public transport network will not only prove sustainable in the long run but will also align with the green initiatives that Chennai must hold steadfast to if it intends to be resilient to climate change. It is certainly a worthier use of the exchequer’s money than flyovers.