The so-called Dravidian Model of development is once again exposed as a failure, with stalled flyover projects in T Nagar, Nolambur, Vyasarpadi, and Kodungaiyur leaving residents to suffer crippling traffic congestion, sewage overflows, business losses, frequent power cuts, and endless detours. Despite grand claims of progress, these projects have remained incomplete for over two years, turning daily commutes into nightmares and crippling local businesses.
In T Nagar, over 1,000 homes across 25 lanes are trapped due to the prolonged closure of Usman Road, which has been blocked for a year and a half because of delays in the construction of a ₹130-crore flyover connecting Anna Salai with Panagal Park. B Kannan, secretary of the T Nagar Resident Welfare Association, was quoted saying in a Times of India report that even ambulances struggle to reach the area, as residents must navigate narrow lanes to exit through Duraisamy subway. “Our street is completely inaccessible to cars,” he added. Furthermore, the flyover project has caused damage to power lines and Metrowater pipes, leading to sewage backups and up to eight-hour power cuts, according to Kannan.
The flyover, originally scheduled for completion by December 2024, is only 70% complete. The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is facing alignment challenges in connecting the new 1.2 km flyover from CIT Nagar with the existing one at Ranganathan Street. These delays have caused 2 km detours, pushing roughly 10,000 vehicles per hour onto Panagal Park, Venkatnarayana Road, Thandapani Street, and Burkit Road to access Anna Salai, severely impacting local businesses.
In North Chennai, delays in flyover projects have created a chaotic situation. Patients attempting to visit a GCC dialysis center in Vyasarpadi face major difficulties due to the stalled ₹226-crore Vyasarpadi-Pulianthope flyover project, which has seen only 40% of its work completed over two years. The road is completely dug up, with minimal progress and few workers present. Business owners complain of high rent payments but no customers due to the area being blocked off.
GCC officials acknowledged that seven out of 36 piles on railway land remain uninstalled, which has delayed the project. “We have paid ₹9 crore in charges to the railways, but we’re still waiting for necessary permissions,” an official noted.
The situation is equally perilous for pedestrians, as the construction has left walkways damaged and unprotected, forcing people, including women and children, to walk through unsafe work zones. Swathy S, a 38-year-old mother, described the danger, “A small slip could cost our lives.”
The ₹96-crore Korukkupet-Kodungaiyur flyover project has also been stalled for two years, as railways have yet to place girders on piles above the tracks. This delay forces motorists to take a 2 km detour via Basin Bridge. GCC Commissioner J Kumaragurubaran said progress above the railway tracks has been slow, but assured that work would be coordinated with the railways to complete all flyovers by this year.
However, Southern Railway’s Chennai Divisional Railway Manager Vishwanath Eerya denied any delays, stating that all railway-related work is proceeding as scheduled, with all necessary permissions granted to GCC. Deputy Mayor Mahesh Kumar pointed out that councillors are facing criticism due to the delays attributed to the railways.
(With Inputs From TOI)
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