Kathipara, Guindy is the main entrance to the Chennai Metro City. The Chennai Metro Rail project officials have informed that a gigantic overbridge is to be constructed at a height f 132’ at Kathipara, Guindy, during the 2nd Phase of the Chennai Metro Rail project.
A mammoth flyover and circular route system was constructed at the Kathipara junction and was dedicated to public service in the year 2008 to reduce the acute traffic congestion. Built in the shape of a butterfly, this Kathipara fly-over junction is considered as one of the landmarks of the city.
The tracks for the Chennai Metro Rail system have been laid adjacent to the Kathipara fly-over as an elevated corridor and trains are operated.
Meanwhile, in the vacant space available below the Kathipara flyover, the activities at a cost of Rs. 14 Crores for setting up several very useful facilities for the electric train passengers have been in progress.
Further, other entertainment/time pass facilities such as play park, pavements, open-air auditorium, food shops, other shops, toilets, bank ATMs, children’s play equipment, motorcycle and car parking space, decorative lamps installed in the lawn floor, etc., are being set up.
In this situation, another project is being taken up the Chennai Metro Rail authorities during the 2nd Phase of the project, to construct a huge high-level overbridge on the left of the Kathipara junction to operate Metro Rail. In an unprecedented effort in the city of Chennai, it is planned to construct 2 high-level bridges at a height of 40.4 metres (132’). This will facilitate the Metro trains coming from Poonamallee to extend the route up to Sholinganallur via Alandur.
While enquiring about this to the Metro officials, they shared:
‘Presently, the extension work from Vadapalani Metro station to Poonamalllee is progressing. In the Metro Rail 2nd Phase, this the track will link with the section Madhavaram-Sholinganallur. The Metro Rail will operate via Poonamallee, Kattuppakkam, Porur, Alandur, Little Mount, Adambakkam, Puzhudhivakkam, Madippakka, Kovialambakkam, Medavakkam, Perumbakkam, and Sholinganallur.
In this plan, in an unprecedented effort in Chennai so far, we are planning to construct an overbridge at a height of 40.4 metres towards the left of the Kathipara junction. Already, during the 1st The phase of the Chennai Metro Rail project, bridges have been successfully constructed at heights of 16 meters and at 24 metres (near kathipara where the trains are in operation. So, it can be expected that this Kathipara junction will become a main transportation centre landmark in the coming years just like the Chennai Central and Egmore Railway Stations!`