Calling, consultant to decongest Koyambedu

CHENNAI: In a bid to decongest traffic in Chennai Moffusil Bus Terminus (CMBT) and Koyambedu Wholesale Market Complex (KWMC), the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) is seeking the help of a consultant to prepare transport system management strategies for the area.
This comes as the CMDA is planning to construct a new bus terminus in Kilambakkam to decongest Koyambedu.

Sources also said that the proposal would also look at alternatives to decongest the market road which has been hit by traffic snarls after the proposed 80 feet road connecting Poonamallee High Road (NH 4) and Koyambedu Wholesale Market Complex ‘A’ Road was dropped due to encroachment and huge cost of land acquisition.

The road was planned after the closure of Koyambedu Wholesale Market Complex’s ‘F’ and ‘G’ road which is now converted into Chennai Metro Rail depot. It was learnt that a proposal for acquisition of land measuring an extent of 5.46 hectares in Nerkundram was sent to the government through the Tiruvallur District Collector for approval to build a road linking the market and the Poonamallee High Road.

It is believed the total amount estimated for acquiring land was around `165 crore. Sources said that once the proposal was forwarded to government, it raised queries regarding availability of funds for land acquisition.

But then the proposal could not be taken up with huge cost involved in acquisition of land under the new land acquisition Act.

This has created a chaos on the market roads as well as nearby arterial road, dotted by residential apartments, which has been converted into a main road by trucks carrying vegetables. “It is a nightmare for school buses as well as residents, who use the road during busy hours,” says Bharathi, a housewife.