Chennai's Padi ROB Undergoes Major 139-Crore Widening to Ease Traffic Bottleneck
The state highways department in Chennai has initiated a significant infrastructure project aimed at alleviating chronic traffic congestion. Major widening works have commenced at the Padi rail overbridge (ROB) located on Jawaharlal Nehru Salai, commonly known as the Inner Ring Road. This ambitious undertaking, valued at 139 crores, is designed to transform a notorious traffic bottleneck into a streamlined corridor.
Transforming the Bridge Structure
The core of the project involves expanding the existing three-lane bridge into a dual five-lane structure. Additionally, the narrow approach stretch leading towards Padi will be widened, addressing a long-standing issue that has plagued commuters on this vital route. Highways chief engineer Jawahar Muthuraj provided detailed insights into the execution plan.
"The department will lay the portions of road and place girders within their land," Muthuraj stated. "The stretch crossing the railway tracks will be handled by Southern Railway, which is sourcing the girders from their yard in Arakkonam." He also noted that some electrical line shifting is part of the comprehensive work.
Significant Width Increase and Additional Improvements
The widening effort will substantially increase the bridge's width from 27 meters to 53 meters, incorporating footpaths on both sides for pedestrian safety. The approach road and adjoining stretches are also being upgraded to five lanes with a central median, which is expected to streamline traffic movement significantly. Muthuraj confirmed that the entire project is scheduled for completion by April.
Currently, the ROB, situated between Villivakkam and Korattur railway stations, acts as a critical choke point on the Inner Ring Road. While most sections of this arterial corridor from Manali to Guindy feature five lanes on either side, the 1.1-kilometer stretch near Padi narrows sharply. It reduces to just two lanes near the railway station, leading to frequent traffic snarls and accidents, highlighting the urgent need for this upgrade.
Complementary Service Road Development
In a parallel initiative to further ease congestion, the highways department is constructing two U-shaped service roads beneath the Villivakkam ROB. This 14-crore project involves building 7.5-meter wide roads that will enable vehicles to make U-turns towards North Korattur and Padi without entering the busy junction. Once operational, these service roads are anticipated to reduce congestion near the North Korattur signal and allow light vehicles to bypass the intersection entirely.
The National Highways Authority of India is concurrently expanding other stretches of the Inner Ring Road, indicating a broader effort to enhance Chennai's road infrastructure. This multi-faceted approach aims to create a more efficient and safer transportation network for the city's residents and commuters.
