Authorities have announced night-time traffic diversions at the Madhya Kailash junction for three nights starting Friday to facilitate the installation of a high mast lamp. Diversions will be in effect from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., as approved by the city traffic police.The work is part of efforts to improve street lighting along Sardar Patel Road and Rajiv Gandhi Salai. The Greater Chennai Corporation, on behalf of the Highways Department, will install 35 lamp posts and a high mast lamp, with an allocation of ₹85 lakh. Work has already begun near VHS Hospital, including laying power lines for the new lighting system.
The diversion coincides with the final stages of the L-shaped flyover construction at Madhya Kailash, being built at a cost of ₹60.68 crore. The Highways Department reported that 90% of construction is complete, with 19 spans of the 652-metre structure finished. Structural completion is expected in about two weeks, after which finishing works such as painting, signage, and lighting will be carried out. Crash barriers are being installed along the Sardar Patel Road approach, while the IT Highway side is nearing completion.
Commuters have raised concerns over the poor road condition near the IIT-Madras stretch, where roads frequently sink due to old sewer lines and manholes of the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board. The Highways Department has warned that the problem will continue until the underground utilities are repaired.
The night-time diversion aims to ensure smooth and safe installation of lighting while minimizing inconvenience to motorists.