Chennai Flyovers to Ease Traffic by May 2025
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has confirmed that the long-awaited flyovers in T Nagar and R K Nagar, which have been under construction for nearly two years, will be opened to the public by May 2025. These flyovers are part of an extensive effort to address the city’s growing traffic woes and will provide better access to major areas, including Anna Salai and Panagal Park, once completed.
The flyover in T Nagar has faced its own set of challenges, primarily due to alignment issues near Ranganathan Street. To overcome these, the GCC has made significant adjustments, particularly connecting the new 1.2-km-long CIT Nagar flyover with the existing Usman Road flyover. To ensure smooth connectivity, North Usman Road is also being widened. Originally slated for completion by December 2024, the two-lane steel flyover project faced delays due to discrepancies in the height of the CIT Nagar flyover, which was found to be higher than the existing Usman Road structure. In response, the flyover design has been modified to end before Ranganathan Street, with vehicles taking a 100-metre route along a dedicated closed-lane road before merging with the new structure.
The flyover’s completion is expected to significantly improve traffic flow and provide direct connectivity from Anna Salai at CIT Nagar to Panagal Park. Additionally, a new exit near Ranganathan Street will cater to shoppers heading towards Panagal Park, with plans underway to acquire land to create a service lane to further improve access.
Municipal Administration Minister K N Nehru has announced that both the T Nagar and R K Nagar flyovers will be ready for public use by May, with only the Vyasarpadi Ganeshapuram flyover remaining behind schedule due to ongoing work over railway tracks, which is expected to take an additional three months to complete. These new flyovers are part of an ambitious road infrastructure plan aimed at easing the traffic gridlock that has plagued Chennai for years. However, not all projects have progressed smoothly. The Korukkupet flyover, which is also part of the city’s infrastructure upgrades, has been delayed due to the Railways’ postponement in placing the required girders. This delay has forced commuters to take longer detours. Thankfully, the necessary girders have now arrived, and work is moving forward, with the flyover set to ease congestion towards Vyasarpadi and Kodungaiyur once completed.
Chennai’s urban landscape is set to undergo significant changes with the addition of these flyovers. Moreover, two new bridges crossing the Cooum River in Nolambur are expected to be opened by July, further contributing to the city’s efforts to improve transportation networks. As the city works to catch up with its rapidly growing infrastructure needs, these flyovers and bridges will play a critical role in reducing travel times and enhancing the overall commuter experience in Chennai.
