Chennai's Anna Salai Flyover Gets Major Construction Push During Pongal Holidays
The state highways department is making the most of the Pongal holidays to accelerate work on Chennai's Anna Salai flyover. With traffic expected to be lighter during this festive period, officials have seized the opportunity to carry out major construction activities. This strategic move aims to minimize disruptions for daily commuters while maximizing progress on the critical infrastructure project.
Workforce Expansion to Meet April Deadline
To ensure the project stays on track for its April completion target, authorities have significantly expanded the workforce. They have brought in approximately 300 additional workers from West Bengal to join the existing team of about 350. This brings the total workforce to nearly 650 people working on the flyover construction.
The increased manpower allows multiple tasks to be carried out simultaneously across different sections of the stretch. This coordinated approach is designed to speed up the overall project timeline and make substantial progress during the holiday period when traffic flow is reduced.
Multiple Construction Activities in Full Swing
Construction teams are currently engaged in several parallel activities to optimize productivity. These include:
- Bar bending and reinforcement work
- Erecting decks for the flyover structure
- Soil excavation at various points along the route
By coordinating these diverse tasks together, officials hope to achieve maximum efficiency during the low-traffic holiday window.
Current Construction Status and Progress
The project has reached several important milestones:
- Pillar Construction: Out of the planned 134 pillars, 65 have been completed so far. Most work has concentrated on the Saidapet side, with remaining pillars scheduled for erection in coming weeks.
- Foundation Work: Nearly 98% of the foundation work has been completed, providing a solid base for the elevated structure.
- Deck Installation: Concrete topping has been finished on the single deck installed between two pillars. Eight additional decks are ready for installation over the long Pongal weekend, with more planned as work progresses.
Challenges and Clearances
The project faces some specific challenges that require careful management:
Excavation work at the Eldam's Road junction near Teynampet has experienced delays. This busy intersection presents complications due to heavy traffic and pending permissions. Officials are awaiting necessary clearances before resuming digging work at this critical point.
On a positive note, construction on the Teynampet-Nandanam stretch has resumed following the successful shifting of a 233kV Tangedco transmission line. This clearance allows pillar erection to begin on this section, enabling steady progress along the entire project route.
Resident Safety Concerns
Local residents have expressed concerns about commuter safety during the construction phase. Several issues have been identified:
- Narrowed carriageways reducing road width
- Missing barricades in some areas along the construction zone
- Increased pedestrian movement due to the ongoing trade fair at Island Grounds
Residents are urging authorities to balance the need for speedy construction with proper safety measures to protect both motorists and pedestrians using the stretch.
Project Overview and Expected Benefits
The Anna Salai flyover spans 3.2 kilometers between Saidapet and Teynampet, covering one of Chennai's busiest traffic corridors. Once completed, this infrastructure project is expected to deliver significant benefits:
- Substantial reduction in traffic congestion in the area
- Improved daily commute for thousands of motorists
- Enhanced connectivity along this important Chennai route
The current construction push during the Pongal holidays represents a strategic effort to overcome challenges and maintain momentum toward the April completion target. With expanded workforce and coordinated activities, officials are working to deliver this important infrastructure improvement for Chennai residents.
