Residents of Chennai's Nanganallur area have finally received long-awaited relief as the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has sanctioned a major fund of ₹29.57 crore to construct a crucial direct link road. The project aims to connect Nanganallur Fifth Main Road directly to the Pazhavanthangal subway, a move expected to drastically reduce the chronic traffic snarls and accident risks that have plagued the locality for over two decades.
Decades of Struggle and the New Solution
The Pazhavanthangal subway, built back in 1997, serves as a vital artery for access to the Grand Southern Trunk Road. However, the absence of a proper connecting road has forced daily commuters from Nanganallur, Vanuvampet, Ullagaram, Moovarasampet, and Madipakkam to navigate narrow residential lanes. This detour has been a primary cause of persistent jams and safety hazards. After years of relentless demands from citizen groups, the state government has now approved the necessary funds.
The proposed direct road will be 120 metres long. The bus route roads department has already identified and marked 1,069 square metres of land required for the project. While a small portion is government-owned, a significant 979 square metres will be acquired from private owners. A total of 17 residential buildings are slated for removal, with 14 owners having already submitted their no-objection certificates.
Ground Reality: Chaos and Illegal Maneuvers
A recent visit to the site highlighted the acute need for the project. The subway stretch was heavily congested, with vehicles exiting forced to take a mandatory left turn. At the junction near Vembuli Amman Koil Street, motorists were frequently seen breaking traffic rules by driving illegally on a one-way road to access College Road. Alarmingly, school children were also observed using this risky route daily, underscoring the urgent need for a safer, organized traffic flow.
Voices from the Community and Official Action
V Ramarao, president of the Nanganallur Senior Citizen Association, expressed relief, stating that residents had approached multiple departments for years, only to be told the project was unfeasible or lacked funding. "Once the road is built, residents and school children who use this stretch daily will benefit," he said.
B Kumar, former councillor of Alandur, pointed to additional issues like encroachments near Nanganallur market that worsen evening peak-hour traffic. He hopes the new road project will lead to the removal of these obstructions.
On the official front, GCC Chief Engineer (General) S Rajeswari confirmed that a special officer has been appointed to oversee the project. "A preliminary inspection was conducted two days ago. Once the land acquisition process is completed, construction will begin," she assured. The project marks a significant step towards resolving a critical infrastructure gap in South Chennai.
