Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday inaugurated the newly constructed Rail-over-Bridge at railway level crossing 2B on Manali Road in Korukkupet, which was built at a cost of Rs 960.4 million (mn) and for which a foundation stone was laid for another Rail-over-Bridge at railway crossing 2A on Ennore High Road estimated at Rs 750 million (mn). A new park is planned near the newly inaugurated bridge at a cost of Rs 11 million (mn). The schemes form part of efforts to reduce persistent traffic disruptions caused by rail movements.

The Rail-over-Bridge replaces a busy level crossing that frequently disrupted traffic owing to regular train movements and severe gate closures. The Korukkupet–Manali Road and Ennore High Road corridors witness heavy vehicular movement including a notable number of goods carriers, and officials stated that nearly 42,000 vehicles are halted at the two crossings during closures leading to extended delays for motorists and heavy vehicles. The infrastructure is intended to improve flow and reduce congestion in the industrial and residential corridors.

Demand for an RoB at these crossings had been pending for nearly four decades and construction works were initiated in 2023. The 2B structure has a total length of 840 metres, including a 72-metre railway span, with a carriageway of about eight metres and service roads of five metres on either side. Designers provided for service road access and a carriageway to accommodate mixed traffic volumes.

The bridge is expected to benefit nearly 0.1 million (mn) residents from areas including Kodungaiyur, Korukkupet, Tondiarpet, Ezhil Nagar, Kannadasan Nagar and Nehru Nagar. The park will be developed over an extent of 19,128 sqft and will feature landscaped greenery, a walking track, seating arrangements and lighting facilities to enhance the public realm. Officials indicated that the measures aim to shorten travel times and improve safety for commuters and heavy vehicles.