Growing dependence on pedestrian infrastructure along Chennai’s Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) has intensified calls for urgent repairs and modernisation of ageing foot overbridges, with residents warning that deteriorating structures are posing safety risks for thousands of daily commuters navigating the city’s busiest technology corridor.
The concerns have gained prominence as Chennai Metro Rail construction has altered pedestrian movement across Rajiv Gandhi Salai, forcing more people to rely on elevated crossings that were originally installed years ago to improve road safety. Residents say several structures now show visible signs of wear, including damaged steps, corrosion on steel components and inadequate protection from weather, making them increasingly difficult to use for children, older adults and people with limited mobility. Urban mobility specialists note that pedestrian infrastructure often receives less maintenance than carriageways despite playing a critical role in reducing road accidents. They argue that neglected foot overbridges can discourage their use, prompting pedestrians to cross high-speed traffic corridors at ground level and undermining the very purpose for which the facilities were built.
Citizen groups representing neighbourhoods along the IT corridor have also highlighted long-standing design shortcomings. Many of the existing bridges lack universal accessibility features such as ramps or lifts, restricting access for wheelchair users, parents with prams and senior citizens. Open steel structures without adequate weather protection also become uncomfortable during extreme summer temperatures and hazardous during monsoon conditions when stair surfaces become slippery.Urban planners say these concerns reflect a broader challenge in rapidly expanding metropolitan regions where infrastructure upgrades have not always kept pace with changing travel patterns. OMR has evolved into one of Chennai’s largest employment hubs, attracting substantial daily commuter volumes, while ongoing mass transit construction has further reshaped pedestrian routes. This transition has increased dependence on infrastructure that was designed under earlier traffic conditions. Experts suggest that future pedestrian facilities should be integrated with Metro stations, bus stops and commercial districts rather than functioning as isolated structures. International best practices increasingly favour universally accessible crossings equipped with weather protection, surveillance systems, adequate lighting and regular maintenance schedules to encourage safer walking while supporting low-carbon urban mobility.
Residents also point to the need for strategic placement of crossings near educational institutions, office clusters and other high-footfall locations to maximise usability. Transport planners believe pedestrian infrastructure must be treated as an essential component of sustainable mobility networks rather than an afterthought to road expansion. With Chennai continuing to invest in large-scale transport infrastructure, civic observers say upgrading ageing pedestrian assets alongside new transit projects will be essential for creating safer, more inclusive streets. Ensuring that foot overbridges remain accessible, structurally sound and well maintained could strengthen public confidence in walking as a viable mode of urban travel while supporting the city’s broader mobility and sustainability objectives.
