Chennai: Commuters taking Jawaharlal Nehru Salai will have to contend with slow traffic near CMBT at least till June as the Koyambedu flyover will take minimum 6-8 months to complete according to sources.
Ironically, the reason for the delay seems to be traffic which is making it difficult for heavy vehicles like earth movers, cranes and lorries carrying supplies and other construction materials from one end of the under-construction flyover to another.
The Kaliamman Koil Street and Jawaharlal Nehru Road junction is crucial since it has in its vicinity the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus, MTC bus stand, private bus stand and the Koyambedu fruits, vegetable and flower markets right next to it. The junction witnesses heavy traffic throughout the day.
An official from the Highways Department explained, “Traffic starts as early as 3 am here as lorries start coming to the market and outstation buses keep plying through the night. After 8 am, regular traffic begins and we see heavy pedestrian movement. The contractor is unable to work during peak time since heavy vehicles at the work site cannot even make a turn on the road. If they do, there will be a long pile-up of vehicles and it becomes difficult for everybody.”
“So, we are only barricading small stretches of the road and in phases. Though the contract period is over, we are giving an extension of time to the contractor,” he added.
Ever since work on the Rs 93.50 crore project began in February 2017, it has been beset with delays. First, there were delays in obtaining the soil tests and permission from the police department.
Next came the severe sand crisis in Tamilnadu that crippled many infrastructure development projects. Earlier the officials said the project will be complete by March 2019. Now, according to the officials, the flyover will be complete only by mid-2019.