Chennai's Traffic Woes To End? Check CMDA's Road Expansion Plans

In an effort to alleviate traffic congestion, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) and the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) have identified six major roads for expansion.

Selected Roads for Expansion

The plan involves widening these roads by 8 to 15 feet to improve traffic flow. The roads chosen for widening include:

• LB Road in Adyar
• New Avadi Road from Kilpauk to Villivakkam
• Paper Mills Road from Perambur to Kolathur
• Radhakrishnan Salai from Marina Beach to Gemini Circle
• Cooks Road
• Perambur Barracks Road from Purasawakkam to Perambur

Mayor R Priya, speaking to The Times of India, explained that the expansion of four roads will be funded by CMDA's Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) funds. The two remaining roads, Kolathur and Perambur Barracks Road, which are part of a long-term proposal, will be financed by GCC.

Road Work Dependencies and Timelines

The expansion of LB Road, RK Salai, and Perambur Barracks Road is contingent upon the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) completing corridor and station work for corridor 3. Once these sections are handed over by CMRL, the widening projects can proceed.

Murugesan, the executive engineer of the bus route roads department, told the daily that the current widening efforts will facilitate the future construction of four-lane flyovers. "We are yet to ascertain the width to be widened for RK Salai and LB Road. This work will begin soon after a meeting with CMDA," he said.

Detailed Expansion Plans

Akilandeshwari, assistant executive engineer for zone 6 (Thiru Vi Ka Nagar), detailed the plans for Paper Mills Road. The 3.8-kilometer stretch will be widened from 8.5 meters to 18 meters between the 200-feet road and Perambur High Road, with an estimated cost of ₹70 crore.

Likewise, Cooks Road will be expanded from 16 meters to 22 meters over a length of 240 meters, between Cooks Road and Stephenson Road junction, at a cost of Rs 5.2 crore.

A consultant has been appointed to survey existing road widths and determine the necessary expansions. The consultant's work will begin soon on RK Salai, focusing on properties near the Mylapore junction.

Additional Plans and Land Acquisition

Considering the heavy traffic flow in the Nungambakkam subway, GCC also plans to widen the Nelson Manickam Road subway.

The corporation has initiated negotiations with private property owners for land acquisition to facilitate these projects. "Widening of North Chennai roads will help to decongest the stretch and work will begin by the year-end," Mayor Priya told TOI.

These road expansions aim to significantly reduce traffic congestion and improve the overall infrastructure of Chennai, making daily commutes smoother and more efficient for residents.