The 1.15-km Koyambedu flyover, built at a cost of ₹93 crore and inaugurated in November 2021, has deteriorated sharply within four years of opening. The structure, which connects Koyambedu and the SAF Games Village, now shows multiple potholes, exposed expansion joints, and steel reinforcements jutting out dangerously, posing a serious risk to motorists.
Large sections of the concrete surface have peeled off, particularly near the down ramp close to the State Election Commission office. In some stretches, even the patchwork done by the Highways Department has come off again.
Officials have described the visible steel rods and damaged surface as “normal wear and tear” and claimed the flyover’s structural integrity remains unaffected. However, engineering experts have criticised the quality of construction.
“Concrete flyovers are expected to withstand traffic stress for at least ten years, or at worst, five years. If steel rods are already visible, it shows very poor construction standards,” said Sampath Kumar, Professor of Highways and Transportation at Sathyabama University. He attributed the damage to the use of M-sand mixed with quarry dust — a combination that reduces concrete density and causes it to flake off easily.
Parthasarathy, Assistant Engineer with the Chennai Metropolitan Development Plan who worked on the project, said water stagnation had caused parts of the surface to chip away. “We accounted for heavy truck traffic from Koyambedu market, but the actual vehicle load appears higher than expected. This is not a structural issue but a surface-coating problem, which will be repaired,” he said.
He added that the 20-mm gap visible between expansion joints was part of the design, allowing the structure to contract in winter and expand during summer. “It’s normal and not a cause for concern,” Parthasarathy said.
Highways Assistant Engineer Haribabu, who oversees the stretch, confirmed that the flyover will undergo a post-monsoon review. “We conduct periodic inspections and carry out necessary repairs. The Thirumangalam flyover has already been patched, and similar work will be done here after the monsoon,” he said.
Koyambedu flyover cracks open in four years since inauguration.
The 1.15km long, Rs 93 crore Koyambedu flyover, imagurated by chief minister M K Stalin on Nov 2021, is already riddled with multiple potholes, exposed expansion joints, and steel reinforcements jutting out… pic.twitter.com/bLmNpVLxEb
— Omjasvin M D (@omjasvinMD) October 29, 2025
The condition of the Koyambedu flyover — a key arterial link in Chennai’s road network — has raised questions about material quality, construction oversight, and maintenance standards, as experts warn that visible corrosion and crumbling surfaces on a recently built structure are indicators of systemic lapses.
(Source: Times of India)
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