Articles by Aloysius Xavier Lopez

Technology

GCC to widen narrow roads in Chennai to ease traffic congestion

Following complaints from residents and motorists about traffic congestion, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has planned to widen the carriageway of all the 488 bus routes by removing encroachments, and with end-to-end paving and redesign of the roads. Work on end-to-end paving of four roads has been completed in a few congested areas. “The width of the carriageway of Gandhi Irwin Bridge Road, Binny Road, CSIR Road and Pallavan Salai has been increased by 60 cm because of end-to-end paving. Motorcycle riders will have more space on such stretches. Work on improving the carriageway of the 488 bus routes will be carried out,” said an official. Officials said the widening of the carriageway by one metre in certain stretches is expected to ease traffic congestion. Residents had complained about traffic congestion in Manapakkam Main Road, M.G.Road and Dharmarajapuram. Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises T.M.Anbarasan along with Chennai Corporation Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran, officials of GCC and Highways inspected a congested Highways stretch from Manapakkam Riverview Avenue Main Road to Kundrathur. They have decided to remove streetlights that obstruct traffic flow on congested roads. Ward 88 councillor G.V.Nagavalli said residents have complained about traffic congestion near Padi Flyover and have demanded the widening of CTH Road and other stretches in the vicinity. “The Highways Department has not widened the stretch,” she said. Ward 104 councillor T.V.Shemmozhi said the residents have demanded a link road along the Cooum connecting Pillayar Koil Street and Padi Kuppam Road to ease traffic congestion in the vicinity of V.R.Mall. Many proposals to acquire land for road widening have been shelved.