Chennaitraffic congestionroad overbridgeinfrastructure delayurban development
Slow Overbridge Construction Sparks Severe Traffic Delays on Chennai's Kamaraj Salai
Published: May 10, 2026
Loading article...
Loading article...
Severe traffic congestion has gripped Kamaraj Salai in Chennai due to slow progress on a road overbridge (ROB) over the Uppar drain, particularly affecting the GRT Junction to Thiruvalluvar Salai stretch. With one side of the carriageway blocked for construction, two-way traffic is funnelled into a single lane, causing daily delays and worsening air quality from unchecked dust at the site.
The ROB project, first proposed in 2005-06 to connect Kamaraj Salai and Maraimalai Adigal Salai, stalled for nearly two decades due to administrative delays, arbitration issues, and funding gaps. Revived in 2025 at a cost of ₹29.25 crore, the 732-metre bridge had 632 metres completed before work halted in 2019; the final link near Newton Theatre remains unfinished.
Residents and commuters have raised concerns over poor coordination, lack of traffic management, and deteriorating road conditions, with additional strain expected when schools reopen. Police have deployed extra personnel during peak hours, citing frequent VIP movements and constrained road space as key contributors to the gridlock.
The bridge will feature a 7.5-metre carriageway with 1.5-metre footpaths on both sides and include service ducts and upgraded drainage along the Uppar drain to improve water flow capacity. Officials acknowledge the need for accelerated construction to restore normalcy.
The Chennai City Police and project authorities expect congestion to worsen with increased vehicular movement after the school reopening; officials have urged faster execution, with no official completion timeline yet announced.