Residents and commuters in Chennai's western suburbs, long plagued by a precarious and frequently flooded river crossing, are finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel. The construction of a much-anticipated high-level bridge over the Cooum river in Nolambur is in its final stages, promising to end decades of inconvenience and safety concerns.
A Long-Awaited Solution to a Persistent Problem
For years, people from Nolambur, Mogappair, and Maduravoyal have been dependent on a low-level causeway built back in 1996. This narrow passage, located just 20 meters from the new bridge site, regularly gets inundated even during moderate rains, forcing risky commutes. The structure has also weakened over time, causing anxiety, especially for those driving heavy vehicles and cars.
Valasaravakkam zonal chairman, 'Nolambur' V Rajan, vividly recalls the struggles from the late 90s. "I saw women and students wade through the water, their dresses getting drenched. Some women carried an extra pair of clothes," he shared. The 1996 causeway was built to provide some dignity during the Kalaignar regime, and now, the same crossing is being transformed into a robust, high-level bridge.
Project Details and Expected Timeline
The new infrastructure is a substantial 160-meter-long, four-lane bridge being constructed at a cost of ₹44 crore, excluding land acquisition expenses. The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is racing to complete the remaining work.
According to Chairman Rajan, the civic body needs to place two final deck slabs, which are expected to be sourced and ready by the end of January. "After that, we will complete the black topping, approach works, and install street lights within the next 15 days," he stated. The GCC is hopeful that Chief Minister M K Stalin will inaugurate the project, with a target completion window of mid-February.
Enhanced Connectivity and Rising Property Values
The strategic importance of this bridge is significant. It will seamlessly connect the Union Road (from Maduravoyal to Mogappair) to the crucial Poonamallee High Road, a key state highway. Currently, many wary commuters from Maduravoyal and Nolambur take a 5-kilometer detour via Mogappair to use another four-lane bridge, adding to their travel time.
The new bridge is expected to slash travel time by 10 to 15 minutes, providing instant access to the highway. This improved connectivity is already reflecting in the local real estate market. Rajan noted that property values in Nolambur have jumped from approximately ₹6,000 per square foot before the flyover project to about ₹10,000 per square foot now, attracting investments from large gated communities.
To ensure direct access, the corporation has also procured 4,396 square metres of private land. This project complements another recently inaugurated two-lane bridge in Chinna Nolambur, which was opened by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin last year.
Once operational, the new Nolambur bridge will not just be a concrete structure but a vital lifeline, ending an era of stench, inundation, and anxiety for thousands of daily commuters, while boosting the area's economic prospects.
