Infrastructure upgrade: Fintech City access road widening underway

16 Feb 2024 CW Team

The road, traversing through residential areas such as Manapakkam, Kolapakkam, Gerugambakkam, and Porur, previously accommodated over 20,000 vehicles. Upon the completion of Fintech City, the wall will be demolished, and the expanded road will be made available for traffic.

Originally under the jurisdiction of the Greater Chennai Corporation, the road, with a mere two lanes and varying width from 7 m to 12 m, was transferred to the highways department last year. The department proposed transforming it into a four-lane road complete with a median and footpaths. With funds allocated under the Comprehensive Road Infrastructure Development Programme, a tender has been issued to secure a private contractor to complete the project within seven months. Additionally, improvements are planned for the ITDP signal junction to facilitate smoother traffic flow.

This infrastructure development project is expected to benefit the IPS Officers Colony in Manapakkam, home to many civil service officers. Addressing concerns about the current bumpy condition of the road, engineers assure residents that the riding surface will be rectified before the widening work commences. Furthermore, plans include fixing missing links in drains and constructing new drains with silt-catch pits to address waterlogging issues experienced after rains.

Mohan S, a resident-activist from Nandambakkam, expressed relief at the prospect of the 1.5 km stretch being reopened, emphasising its significance as the sole route to Mount-Poonamallee Road. He acknowledged the initial worry when the wall was erected but welcomed the highways department's commitment to restoring access upon project completion.

In a bid to enhance connectivity to the upcoming Fintech City, the state highways department is set to widen the 1.5 km stretch that links Mount-Poonamallee Road to Manapakkam Road, with an estimated cost of Rs 80 million. Currently, inaccessible to commuters due to a recently constructed wall facilitating unimpeded construction at the Fintech City site, this stretch is expected to be reopened once the project is completed. The road, traversing through residential areas such as Manapakkam, Kolapakkam, Gerugambakkam, and Porur, previously accommodated over 20,000 vehicles. Upon the completion of Fintech City, the wall will be demolished, and the expanded road will be made available for traffic. Originally under the jurisdiction of the Greater Chennai Corporation, the road, with a mere two lanes and varying width from 7 m to 12 m, was transferred to the highways department last year. The department proposed transforming it into a four-lane road complete with a median and footpaths. With funds allocated under the Comprehensive Road Infrastructure Development Programme, a tender has been issued to secure a private contractor to complete the project within seven months. Additionally, improvements are planned for the ITDP signal junction to facilitate smoother traffic flow. This infrastructure development project is expected to benefit the IPS Officers Colony in Manapakkam, home to many civil service officers. Addressing concerns about the current bumpy condition of the road, engineers assure residents that the riding surface will be rectified before the widening work commences. Furthermore, plans include fixing missing links in drains and constructing new drains with silt-catch pits to address waterlogging issues experienced after rains. Mohan S, a resident-activist from Nandambakkam, expressed relief at the prospect of the 1.5 km stretch being reopened, emphasising its significance as the sole route to Mount-Poonamallee Road. He acknowledged the initial worry when the wall was erected but welcomed the highways department's commitment to restoring access upon project completion.