Following strong opposition from residents in Mylapore, to the construction of a flyover at Mandaveli junction, the Chennai Corporation has decided to widen R.K. Mutt Road.
A number of houses, commercial establishments and a few premises with heritage value may have to give way for a wider road connecting Raja Annamalaipuram and Mylapore. “Preparations of land plan schedule will commence shortly. The congested road will be widened to around 60 feet (18 metres),” said an official of the Chennai Corporation.
A flyover at Mandaveli junction is an ambitious project of the Corporation’s, aimed at easing congestion on R.K. Mutt Road. It is yet to take off, however, due to opposition from residents in Mylapore.
Most parts of R.K. Mutt Road have a width ranging from eight metres to 10.5 metres. After widening of the road to 18 metres, multi-storeyed buildings will be allowed on the stretch.
Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority permits construction of multi-storeyed buildings on roads wider than 18 metres.
Road widening the solution to congestion? Residents of Venkatakrishna Road and South Canal Bank Road, intersecting R.K. Mutt Road at Mandaveli junction, had pointed to the need for widening the 2.5-km-long R.K. Mutt Road, at a public hearing organised by the Corporation a few weeks ago.
Several motorists too have submitted online petitions demanding the widening of R.K. Mutt Road to ease traffic congestion. “Heavy traffic flow from Adyar, through the congested parts of Mylapore, should ease,” said Ashok, a motorist.
A few months ago, the traffic police too had proposed an elevated road on R.K. Mutt Road to ease traffic congestion. But the civic body opted for construction of a flyover to ease congestion at Mandaveli junction. “A wider R.K. Mutt Road and a flyover at Mandaveli junction will ease traffic congestion in the area,” said an official of the Corporation. More than 9,000 cars ply the road during rush hour.
