CHENNAI: In what would come as a great relief for thousands of pedestrians who face serious risks while crossing the busy Jawaharlal Nehru Salai in front of the DMDK headquarters at Koyambedu every day, the State Highways Department will start the project to construct a foot overbridge (FOB) at the spot in a few days.

Jawaharlal Nehru Salai, more commonly known as 100 Feet Road, is one of the arterial roads in Chennai. However, though it witnesses heavy traffic movement throughout the day, especially near the CMBT in Koyambedu, there is not even a traffic signal at the spot. This leaves the pedestrians in considerable inconvenience, and even danger, while trying to cross the wide road.

On the other hand, pedestrians crossing the road often disrupt the flow of traffic during peak hours, causing congestion on the Koyambedu flyover and the road underneath, which connects to the Koyambedu bus terminus.

After persistent complaints from the public, the Highways Department had in 2025 proposed an FOB at the crossing between the Koyambedu grade separator and the CMBT flyover at an estimated cost of Rs 18 crore. However, even after nearly a year, the project has not progressed beyond the announcement.

The location is particularly dangerous for those on foot as vehicles move at high speeds while coming down the flyover. During peak hours, traffic police personnel are deployed at the location to regulate vehicle movement and help pedestrians cross the road. However, for most part of the day, they are forced to cross the busy stretch at their own risk.

One of the main challenges in constructing the FOB was land acquisition, said an official.

A senior official from the State Highways Department told DT Next, “The land acquisition process has been completed and the tender process also completed. Within one or two days, the construction of that project will start.”