Chennai: Anna Salai flyover on fast lane, workers rushed in for April finish

The state highways department is accelerating work on the Anna Salai flyover during the Pongal holidays. With traffic expected to be lighter, officials are taking the opportunity to carry out major construction activities without causing significant disruptions to commuters.

Around 300 additional workers from West Bengal have been brought in to join the existing team of about 350, increasing the total workforce to nearly 650. This is aimed at ensuring that multiple tasks across the stretch are carried out simultaneously, speeding up the project timeline.

Construction teams are working on several activities at the same time, including bar bending, reinforcement work, erecting the decks, and soil excavation. By coordinating these tasks together, officials hope to maximise productivity during the low-traffic holiday period.

Out of the total 134 pillars planned for the flyover, 65 have been completed so far. Most of the work has been concentrated on the Saidapet side, and authorities are planning to erect the remaining pillars in the coming weeks.

Nearly 98% of the foundation work for the flyover has been completed. The concrete topping has already been finished on the single deck that has been installed between two pillars, marking a significant milestone in the project.

Eight decks are ready for installation over the long Pongal weekend. Officials also plan to bring in additional decks during the day since the stretch will be mostly traffic-free, ensuring continuous work and faster progress.

Excavation work at the Eldam’s Road junction near Teynampet has been delayed due to heavy traffic and pending permissions. This junction is one of the busiest points along the flyover route, and officials are awaiting clearance before resuming digging work.

Construction on the Teynampet–Nandanam stretch resumed after the shifting of a 233kV Tangedco transmission line. With this clearance, pillar erection can begin on this section, allowing work to progress steadily along the entire stretch.

Local residents have raised concerns about the safety of commuters. Narrowed carriageways, missing barricades in some areas, and increased pedestrian movement due to the ongoing trade fair at Island Grounds have made the stretch riskier. Residents are urging authorities to speed up construction while ensuring proper safety measures.

The flyover spans 3.2 km between Saidapet and Teynampet, one of Chennai’s busiest corridors. Once completed, it is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion in the area and improve the daily commute for thousands of motorists.