+
Subway Installation Hits Traffic as NHAI Halts Work
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

Subway Installation Hits Traffic as NHAI Halts Work

Due to significant traffic congestion on the Chennai-Trichy highway caused by the installation of a vehicular subway, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) decided to halt the work on Thursday. NHAI had initially planned to expand the stretch between Tambaram and Perungalathur into an eight-lane road at a cost of Rs 250.7 million. This project included widening the two-lane Irumbuliyur railway bridge and constructing a vehicular underpass to connect GST Road with the other side.

The original plan was to use a hydraulic jack to push a precast concrete box under the bridge, a method designed to minimize digging and thus reduce traffic disruptions. However, for this process to proceed safely, traffic on the highway above needed to move at a slow pace. To achieve this, rumble strips were installed on Wednesday night just before vehicles leaving Chennai reached the Irumbuliyur railway bridge. Despite this measure, the combined effect of the traffic restrictions and delays in completing the second arm of the Perungalathur flyover led to a complete standstill in Perungalathur on Thursday, with vehicles backed up for up to 2 kilometers.

Given the severe traffic increase, D Ganesh from Varadharajapuram remarked that merely widening the bridges would not be sufficient. Instead, he argued that the construction of an elevated corridor from Tambaram to Chengalpet, as promised by the government, is the only effective long-term solution.

Due to significant traffic congestion on the Chennai-Trichy highway caused by the installation of a vehicular subway, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) decided to halt the work on Thursday. NHAI had initially planned to expand the stretch between Tambaram and Perungalathur into an eight-lane road at a cost of Rs 250.7 million. This project included widening the two-lane Irumbuliyur railway bridge and constructing a vehicular underpass to connect GST Road with the other side. The original plan was to use a hydraulic jack to push a precast concrete box under the bridge, a method designed to minimize digging and thus reduce traffic disruptions. However, for this process to proceed safely, traffic on the highway above needed to move at a slow pace. To achieve this, rumble strips were installed on Wednesday night just before vehicles leaving Chennai reached the Irumbuliyur railway bridge. Despite this measure, the combined effect of the traffic restrictions and delays in completing the second arm of the Perungalathur flyover led to a complete standstill in Perungalathur on Thursday, with vehicles backed up for up to 2 kilometers. Given the severe traffic increase, D Ganesh from Varadharajapuram remarked that merely widening the bridges would not be sufficient. Instead, he argued that the construction of an elevated corridor from Tambaram to Chengalpet, as promised by the government, is the only effective long-term solution.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India to Invest Rs 600 Billion to Upgrade 1,000 ITIs

As part of its drive to modernise vocational training, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with Gujarat’s Labour and Employment Department, held a State-Level Workshop at the NAMTECH Campus within IIT-Gandhinagar to discuss the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation.The consultation brought together key stakeholders from industry and the training ecosystem to align expectations and support implementation of the scheme, which aims to transform 1,000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across India using a hub-and-spoke model. The total outlay stands ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India Unveils Rs 600 Billion Maritime Finance Push

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) hosted the Maritime Financing Summit 2025 in New Delhi, bringing together over 250 stakeholders including policymakers, industry leaders, global investors, and financial institutions. The summit, held under the ambit of Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV) 2047, focused on transforming India into a leading maritime power with strengthened financial, infrastructural, and technological capabilities.Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal emphasised India's strategic progress, noting that average port turnaround times have dropped from four days to u..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Govt Allocates Rs 500 Million To Boost Community Radio

The Central Government, through its ‘Supporting Community Radio Movement in India’ scheme, has allocated Rs 500 million to strengthen the community radio ecosystem across the country. The initiative aims to assist both newly established and long-operational Community Radio Stations (CRSs), ensuring their relevance to local educational, social, cultural, and developmental needs.According to the policy published by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, CRSs may be set up by not-for-profit organisations with at least three years of demonstrated community service. These stations are ex..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?