Meryl Sebastian

It is being increasingly recognised that the overt emphasis on expressways and flyovers has resulted in a transport infrastructure that leans towards being motor vehicle friendly. The authorities seem to agree with this. The National Urban Transport Policy, CMDA’s Second Master Plan and Chennai’s City Development Plan recognise the need for pedestrian infrastructure and better public transport as an answer to the city’s road safety and traffic problems. But, this recognition has yet to translate itself into real action. On paper the authorities wax eloquent about centering transport policies around pedestrians, cyclists and frequent users of public transport. There are comprehensive ideas, plans and targets laid out to boost public transport.

But the Second Master Plan[1] reveals that the planned expenditure on medium-term transportation schemes is as follows-

Rs.6200 crores on 8 elevated highways,

Rs.850.12 crore on 18 flyovers,

Rs.45 crore on bridges,

Rs.1993.84 crore on link roads, and

Rs.3514.44 on improving the existing roads.

The plan estimates Rs.209 crore will be spent on pedestrian infrastructure, of which Rs.48 crore is for footpaths, the rest being spent on escalators and subways.

In May 2010, the Highways Minister told the Hindu[2] that ‘since 2006 a total of 104 ROB and rail underbridge projects to replace level-crossings, at a cost of Rs.2,246 crore, had been initiated.’

Highways Secretary G.Santhanam said that ‘tenders would be floated for 69 such projects in 2010-11 involving the Railways and in 2011-12 40 more had been planned’.

Pedestrians and cyclists form more than 40% of the average person trips. The Master Plan points out that 42% of road accidents involve pedestrians and 10% cyclists. Yet, the administration’s spotlight remains on flyovers. Currently, there are 14 Flyovers under construction in the city, of which the construction of 8 began in 2010. Several projects have been fastracked with flyovers at Nerkundram and Porur expected to be completed in 13 months instead of the standard 18. Flyovers at Maduravoyal, Koyembedu, Porur, Vadapalani, Mint and Moolakadai are slated to be completed by May 2011. [3]

One wonders at this sudden spurt of energy, one wonders at the frenzied constructions, then one thinks of the Assembly Elections of 2011. Flyovers are obvious signs of infrastructure and development activities taking place in the city. The authorities may hope that these flyovers cheerlead their achievements but whether the people are convinced is to be seen.

[1] Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, . “The Second Master Plan for Chennai Metroplitan Area 2026.”. CMDA, September 2008. Web. 3 Dec 2010. <http://www.cmdachennai.gov.in/SMP_main.html>.

[2] “Overbridge to be ready next month-end.” The Hindu, 21 May 2010, <http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/21/stories/2010052159990300.htm>

[3] “7 FLyovers to be ready.”  The Times of India 16 Feb 2010, <http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Layout/Includes/TOINEW/ArtWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH%2F2010%2F02%2F16&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T&PageLabel=2&EntityId=Ar00200&AppName=1>

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