• Source:JND
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Chennai News: The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has announced that the Ganesapuram subway in north Chennai will be reopened for vehicles within the next 10 days. The subway, closed in January 2023 for the construction of a road overbridge, has been out of use for over two years, causing major traffic delays in the surrounding areas.

During the closure, commuters from Vyasarpadi, Mullai Nagar, Perambur, Pulianthope, Aaduthotti and Jamalia had to rely on alternative routes such as the Vyasarpadi flyover, Basin Bridge, Elephant Gate RoB, and a narrow track at Arunthathiyar Nagar in Mettupalayam. This led to heavy congestion, especially during peak hours, frustrating regular office-goers and students.

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According to civic officials, the ongoing bridge work will continue, but arrangements are being made to allow smooth movement of vehicles through the subway. A new seven-metre-wide bituminous road is being laid on both sides, additional street lights are being installed, and pumping capacity is being improved to prevent flooding during monsoon.

Residents, however, remain concerned about long-standing waterlogging issues. C. Raghukumar of the Perambur Neighbourhood Development Forum said short-term solutions like using motors and tractors during floods may not be enough. He stated that, the need for permanent measures such as storm-water drains and proper road gradient to ensure water does not stagnate, citing problems seen at the Perambur subway.

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The DT Next report cited, GCC Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran explained that the work progressed faster because of coordination with the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL). While CMRL continued its project without blocking traffic, GCC carried out the bridge construction work at night to reduce inconvenience.

He added that reopening the subway will ease traffic pressure on Perambur High Road, Basin Bridge, and the Vyasarpadi flyover. Repair work on connecting stretches between Stephenson Road–Dr Ambedkar College Road junction and Stephenson Road near the flyover has already started and will be completed within a week to 10 days.