Daily commuters on Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) are grappling with severe traffic congestion and road damage as Phase II of the Chennai Metro Rail project progresses. Once known for its relatively smooth drive, the stretch between SRP Tools and Navalur has become a bottleneck, especially during peak hours.With ongoing metro construction work, the road surface has deteriorated significantly, and traffic snarls have become a daily ordeal. Pedestrians are among the worst affected, as many footpaths have been removed or are blocked due to the construction. Service lanes are frequently dug up, forcing people to walk alongside fast-moving traffic.
Motorists have been taking alternative routes to bypass traffic hotspots such as Padur and Kelambakkam. However, these detours are often congested as well, particularly during the morning and evening rush. The situation is further complicated by large vehicles occupying already limited road space and the absence of timely road repairs.
In a related development, a road widening project is underway on a 2.5-kilometre stretch between Siruseri SIPCOT and Padur. Authorities have begun clearing encroachments along the route, and the âč42-crore project aims to ease traffic flow through this fast-growing IT and residential corridor. The work is expected to be completed by February 2026.
Until then, commuters along OMR may have to brace for continued disruptions and delays as infrastructure upgrades take shape.