Chennai’s daily traffic snarls have worsened as frequent closures at the Korukkupet railway gate strand over 50,000 vehicles for up to 30 minutes each time. This ongoing congestion severely disrupts ambulance and school bus routes, forcing some residents to risk dangerous track crossings. The much-anticipated Ezhil Nagar Road Over Bridge (ROB), valued at ₹105 crore and initially scheduled for May 2025 completion, faces repeated delays, pushing the timeline to August 2025 due to pending railway works. Meanwhile, the stalled Ganeshapuram flyover compounds traffic woes, with only 30% progress made against an August deadline.
The prolonged delays are frustrating residents and authorities alike. Despite assurances that municipal work—such as blacktopping and lighting—is largely done, the critical railway bowstring girder installation remains pending, halting the project’s completion. A site visit revealed minimal activity, with parapet wall painting the only visible progress, raising concerns about project management and accountability. Neighbouring areas such as MGR Nagar, Ajees Nagar, and Nehru Nagar continue to suffer from traffic bottlenecks due to inadequate connectivity to Tondiarpet and Central. The delayed infrastructure projects amplify these choke points, intensifying congestion and stretching detours that increase travel time and costs for residents.
The impact is felt deeply across communities. Patients visiting hospitals in Tondiarpet bear increased transportation costs, with journeys extending due to detours around congested zones. Local residents have also voiced concerns over the bridge’s design, calling for wider structures to accommodate industrial vehicles, fearing current plans could replicate the notorious Cochrane Basin bottleneck, which has long plagued the city’s logistics and commuter flow. The stalled projects highlight larger challenges in urban infrastructure development—where delays not only inconvenience commuters but also impact emergency services and urban sustainability. Efficient completion of such overbridges is crucial to reducing vehicular emissions from idling traffic, aligning with the city’s broader goals of carbon neutrality and sustainable urban mobility.
Chennai’s traffic gridlock around Korukkupet underscores the urgent need for coordinated efforts among municipal authorities, railway agencies, and contractors to expedite infrastructure work. Without swift action, daily commuters will continue to face the environmental and economic costs of congested roads, jeopardising the city’s aspirations for cleaner and more equitable transport networks. The Ezhil Nagar ROB and Ganeshapuram flyover remain critical to alleviating traffic pressure in North Chennai, making timely completion essential not only for local residents but also for the city’s overall logistics efficiency. Authorities have pledged to address pending issues, yet visible progress remains crucial to restoring public confidence. As Chennai grapples with these transport challenges, prioritising sustainable urban planning and infrastructure execution will be key to improving quality of life and achieving resilient mobility for its citizens.
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