Residents in Chennai’s southern periphery are eagerly awaiting the opening of a nearly completed arm of the GST Road rotary flyover at Singaperumal Koil, which promises to significantly ease traffic congestion. The 138 crore project, which was initiated over 16 years ago, has faced repeated delays but now stands at 95% completion for one critical arm connecting Mahindra City to Guduvanchery. With heavy daily congestion at the junction, residents are calling for the early opening of this arm, a move that could alleviate the pressure on motorists, especially during peak hours.
Traffic congestion has long plagued the junction, with hundreds of buses and vans, particularly from the Sriperumbudur industrial belt, facing two-kilometre-long queues. This situation has not only slowed down daily commuters but also delayed emergency services like ambulances, heightening concerns over the bottleneck at SP Koil signal and the adjacent railway crossing. Resident-activists have urged the state highways department to adopt a phased opening strategy, akin to the Perungalathur flyover model, where sections were opened progressively to ease congestion. Despite support from local traffic police, officials have raised safety concerns, citing incomplete infrastructure and potential accident risks.
While the authorities have promised to finish the entire flyover by March 2025, delays in acquiring private land have slowed progress. Comparatively, other infrastructure projects across the state have shown quicker development timelines, leading to frustration among locals who argue that timely interventions could have mitigated the prolonged disruption. The completion of the flyover will be a crucial development in addressing the increasing congestion in Chennai’s rapidly growing southern corridors.
From a sustainability perspective, the delay in this flyover’s completion directly impacts the urban landscape. Prolonged traffic congestion increases vehicle emissions, contributing to deteriorating air quality in the area. Addressing these issues with swift project completion will not only alleviate traffic but also promote a more sustainable urban transport environment, aligning with broader efforts to improve infrastructure efficiency and reduce carbon footprints.
