Date:01/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/01/stories/2007110154800600.htm

Tamil Nadu

Chennai Metropolitan Development Plan picking up steam

J. Malarvizhi

CHENNAI: The Chennai Metropolitan Development Plan (CMDP) proposing simple solutions to traffic snarls at various points in the city is nearing completion.

Formerly called the Infrastructure-Investment Plan, s, such as bus bays, road widening and one-way implementation. It was to be implemented in 2003-04.

Some proposals that have been implemented include the Teynampet bus bay, the one-way movement of traffic along Raj Bhavan, Halda junction and Little Mount and the shifting of lorries from Maduravoyal to Koyambedu. According to Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Sunil Kumar, several new locations were added to the original list of 46 and more than 60 per cent of the proposals have been implemented.

The link route from near Pachaiyappa’s College to Anna Salai via Harrington Road Subway has been successful, he said. There has been a 20-minute reduction in the time to get between the two points, according to a calculation made by the Automobile Association of South India.

The second phase of the traffic movement changes in T. Nagar are due to be announced soon and would completely change the face of the locality, he said. New traffic arrangements would also be announced shortly for Ashok Pillar and Alwarpet.

Optimal utilisation of the road space by time adjustment in traffic signals and other means were on the anvil for the EVR Periyar Salai and would be announced by November 20. Optimal utilisation of White’s Road and Peter’s Road would also enable better traffic movement on Anna Salai.