While Chennai has several bridges, some are badly in need of attention as they no longer meet the needs of the people, which have changed as the city has grown more congested.
Take for instance Villiva-kkam and Anna Nagar wh-ere school children and office-goers often make use of Kilpauk Garden second street, which is the shortest route to Poonamallee high road, to avoid traffic on Kilpauk Garden Road. The people clearly feel the need for a wider bridge on this stretch as a result, says Mr Anbu of Samidasapuram , Kilpauk Gardens.
A corporation official , however claimss the civic body is constantly repairing bridges or building new ones where neccessary in Chennai.
“The bridges’ department focuses on major projects while the corporation’s zonal offices tackle the minor works costing less than RS 50 lakh. Also at a few junctions its neccessary for the corporation to coordinate with the railways when repairing bridges,” he explains.
Its not just the narrow bridges that people are complaining of, but also delay in work on the causeway bridge connecting Kilpauk water tank and Kellys, and on the subways at Maniakkara Chathiram road and near Stanley medical College in north Chennai, which are progressing at a snail’s pace.
“North Chennai currently sees terrible traffic snarls during peak hours. So its very improtant to complete work on the Maniakkara Chathiram road subway near Stanley medical College and the Mint grade separator as quickly as possible,” says Mr. P. Lokesh, a stock analyst who frequents the congested Mint Street.
Ask the corporation official and he says it has already repaired and renovated the subways at Madley Road , Thiru Vi Ka Bridge, Chetpet Spurtank Road and Duraisamy Road for the people’s convenience.