Chennai: It seems that the removal of encroachments near Velacheri railway station has brought about positive changes in the neighbourhood.
The Railways has now undertaken road work to connect Perungudi and Velacheri; this alternative link will ease traffic at Vijaya Nagar.
The road from Perungudi which leads to the Velacheri station was not connected when it was being laid for several reasons. This good-conditioned stretch was used by people for leisurely walks, learning to drive, testing and cleaning their vehicles, and so on. All this was happening when the rest of the neighbourhood was reeling under heavy traffic congestion.
Speaking to this newspaper, a Railway official said, “Rs 4.5-crore tender has been allotted for the project, and connectivity work has begun. Due to rain, it had to be stopped, but will restart at the earliest. Foundation for three of the culverts has been laid, and three more to go. This route will provide easy access for commuters from Velacheri to Taramani. After we finish the work, the Corporation will take care of lighting arrangement.”
Traffic at Vijaya Nagar will be eased to a great extent and thus help motorists reach IT companies in and around the neighbourhood without any hassle.
Speaking about the anti-encroachment drive on the station premises, he said, “We have dismantled the structures and now the debris is being removed. It will be cleared by the first week of August, after which the land will be levelled and we will fence it to protect the property.”
So what will be coming up there? “That has not been decided as the administration is yet to arrive at a conclusion on its effective usage,” he replied.
Appreciating the ongoing work, M Balakrishnan, secretary of Tansi Nagar Welfare Association, said, “The road continuity will help motorists from Madipakkam and Tambaram to a major extent. First the culverts have to be cleared of all kinds of waste. We hope that a small bridge, instead of a low-lying road, is built with considerable height to connect the two places, so that passage of water does not get hindered.”