Construction of Porur flyover at snail’s pace

If you happen to cross the Porur intersection (Arcot road), you should not lose your temper. Needless to say, it would take 20 to 25 minutes to cross the intersection on Mount Poonamallee road. Though the Highways department (metro) claims that works are underway, motorists, residents and activists say that construction is at a snail’s pace and do not know the reason for the delay. 

Proposed in 2010 to reduce traffic congestions at the junction, the construction was delayed due to reasons like difficulties in shifting metro water and no-takers for tenders. But, Highways department sources said that the tender for the construction of the 475-m long, 17.2-metre-wide flyover was floated in October, 2015. 

“There is no flyover as officials constructed pillars in 2010 and covered them with the barricades, as if work was in progress” says M Kirubakaran, a motorist, who commutes from Valasaravakkam to Poonamallee. He added that officials should erect a board with details of the project near the junction to enlighten the public. 

Sumathi A, of Porur says, “We were earlier hopeful that construction would end soon. But, work was abandoned in 2010 after some pillars came up. The government should speed up the construction”. 

Vehicles from Vadapalani arriving through Valasaravakkam pile up on one side, while those from Guindy pile up on the other. A traffic constable here on conditions of anonymity told Dt Next that cops had a tough time at this junction.  

“A flyover is a must at this intersection,” he stressed. Seeking anonymity, a senior Highways department (Metro) engineer said, “Works are in progress and we will complete the flyover in the next five to six months.”