GCC to build Rs 103-cr flyover over Virugambakkam canal

The proposed flyover will connect Bhuvaneswari Nagar – where Virugambakkam Canal originates – and Kaliamman Koil Street near an existing small bridge across Virugambakkam Canal in Chinmaya Nagar. The flyover will be around 5.9-Kilometre-long and will be built at Rs 103.2 crore.

According to Chennai Corporation official, the flyover would be built over the canal instead of building along it. Presently, four minor bridges are in use to cross Virugambakkam Canal, but the facility is insufficient for the current vehicle population. The new flyover will pass above these minor bridges.

A meeting was held at the State Secretariat to finalise the detailed project report (DPR) and estimation on Wednesday. Entry and exit to CMBT bus stand, Koyambedu Wholesale Market and other major facilities are located on Kaliamman Koil Street. Also, the civic body has decided to approach Inland Waterways Authority of India for NOC.

“As the proposed flyover will run over the canal, we will build pillars in the middle of the canal without affecting the flow of water. The canal is maintained by the public works department and we have applied for an NOC from the department. Meanwhile, we conducted a soil test and the results are approved,” the official said.

In the last few years, vehicle movement on Kaliamman Koil Street has increased after new apartment buildings for bureaucrats came up near Nerkundram. As of now, there are around 1,200 apartments for government officials and the government has plans to build more apartments.

“Once the flyover is constructed, motorists from Bhuvaneswari Nagar and Natesan Nagar could take the flyover and descend onto Kaliamman Koil Street. This will decongest the traffic in the locality,” the official added.

As per the civic body data, around 50,000 vehicles use Kaliamman Koil Street during peak hours every day. Meanwhile, the civic body is contemplating to drop the expansion of Kaliamman Koil Street due to the high cost. “Expense for land acquisition alone would cost Rs 300 Crore. Due to this, we are exploring other options,” he said.