Commuters on the busy Chennai-Tirupati highway can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel, or rather, on the incomplete flyover. The long-delayed Pattabiram Road-Over-Bridge (ROB) project, which has been a source of severe traffic congestion for over two years, is set to be completed with the sanction of additional funds.
A Bridge Half-Built, A Road Perennially Jammed
The project, initially inaugurated with one operational arm in September 2024, was designed as a crucial piece of infrastructure. It was meant to be a 780-meter-long, 11-meter-wide six-lane structure replacing the level crossing near Pattabiram railway station. The state government had allocated a substantial Rs 78.35 crore for the project in 2022, funds which have reportedly been fully spent.
However, the reality on the ground has been a nightmare for daily commuters. With only one arm of the bridge open, the intended solution has become a major bottleneck. The operational arm, which is just 5.5 meters wide and originally meant for three lanes in one direction, is currently handling two-way traffic separated by a temporary median. This narrow passage forces over a lakh commuters and motorists to navigate daily snarls, leading to frequent vehicle breakdowns and accidents.
Missing Infrastructure Amplifies Congestion
The problems are compounded by the absence of supporting road infrastructure. Commuters and local activists report that the congestion is worsened because buses, cars, and heavy vehicles are forced to use the flyover even for making U-turns. This is due to the lack of service roads and a planned roundabout near the structure.
A Roy Rosario, founder of People’s Voice in Pattabiram, highlighted the issue. "Most of the buses to Tirupati via Tiruvallur and Tiruttani use this route. There’s no roundabout near the flyover, which is another cause for congestion," he said. He pointed out a discrepancy in official responses: while an initial RTI reply indicated a roundabout would be built after land acquisition, a subsequent response last year stated no money was allocated as the roundabout was not part of the project.
Government Steps In With Additional Funds
In a move aimed at resolving the protracted issue, the government has now approved an extra Rs 13.5 crore to complete the remaining portion of the ROB. This infusion of fresh capital is intended to fast-track the construction of the second arm, which was originally scheduled for completion last year.
The completion of the full six-lane bridge is expected to bring significant relief to the area. Once both arms are operational, traffic flow is anticipated to normalize, easing the daily grind for thousands who rely on the Tirupati Highway. The focus now shifts to the highways department to expedite the work and deliver the promised infrastructure to the citizens of Chennai.
