Decongesting Valluvar Kottam junction - 900m long flyover construction!!
Posted on: 14/Nov/2023 9:17:30 AM
About a year back, it was announced that a 900 m long flyover would be constructed at Valluvar Kottam in Chennai. Now, there is no clarity regarding whether this project would take off or not.
The reason for that was mainly because GCC or Greater Chennai Corporation was unable to acquire 2883 sqm of land of about Rs 113 cr along the Kodambakkam High Road. It is learnt that the project cost was Rs 98 cr initially but the revised budget would exceed 100 cr due to the land acquisition costs. From Palmgrove Hotel to Kodambakkam (where the potters are), this 4 lane flyover was supposed to make its presence felt.
It was mentioned by an officer from GCC that the corporation would have to acquire many private buildings plus remove a temple encroaching the road. Truth is that the private owners were unwilling to sell their lands.
Social impact assessment:
It is worthy to note that social impact assessment is being prepared now and after that formal land acquisition talks would be there. This was as per an official from GCC. From the report, it would be clear regarding the need for the flyover here for decongesting the 4 way Valluvar Kottam junction
Every hour, about 10000 vehicles cross this junction roughly but exact number of vehicles crossing this junction would be known after a formal survey. Out of 10878 sqm of land that GCC would have to acquire for the flyover construction, 8019 sq m of land belongs to the TN govt. It must be taken into account that the 4 lane flyover would be 14m in width and it would not be possible to construct it without acquiring land.
Sathyabama University based Professor Mr. Sampath Kumar spoke about how the intersection govt would be needed for every city to decongest traffic in one neighbourhood. He added that the success of the flyovers would be determined by how it would help in decongesting subsequent junctions also. He was of the view that the construction of flyovers would not provide long term results. The professor later explained how there was a need for another flyover at Madhya Kailash due to frequent traffic congestions.
It was clear from some residents that even after the construction of a flyover near Valluvar Kottam there would still be piling up of the vehicles at Park Hotel junction and Gemini Hotel junction and connecting the flyover with Anna Salai would be needed.
