New Royapuram bridge likely to be reopened in a few days

CHENNAI: Motorists who are forced to take a longer route due to traffic diversion at New Royapuram bridge can heave a sigh of relief now. The bridge that was temporarily closed for a major work by Railways, is set to be reopened in the next few days. Sources in Chennai traffic police said the Railways have completed their work on the portion that is directly under the bridge.

The bridge serves as a convenient link for vehicles coming from Royapuram towards Rajaji Salai and vice versa. But, in July this year, traffic police announced major traffic diversions around the bridge. It was to facilitate Railways lay additional railway lines between Chennai Beach and Korukkupet stations. The bridge had to be closed for traffic as a few of its pillars had to be demolished and reconstructed again.

Due to the traffic changes, vehicles coming from Royapuram are being diverted via M S Koil Street and Old Royapuram Bridge. Traffic from Rajaji Salai towards Royapuram and Tiruvottriyur is routed through Ibrahim Sahib Salai, Stanley subway and Cemetery Road.

A traffic police officer told Express, “Railways have completed their work. We are likely to permit vehicles on the bridge in the next few days. It is most likely to be from October 16 (Monday).” Welcoming the decision to throw open the bridge to the public again, Saravanan, an auto driver, said, “We are avoiding Beach station now as it does not make sense to negotiate the traffic. Even share autos are forced to charge extra money. At times, it takes us more than an hour to reach Cemetery road from Stanley round tana.”

Cascading effect

Because of diversions, motorists have a tough time as traffic snarls are common. During peak hours, movement of vehicles is slow that it takes 30 minutes to cover just 1 km. Autorickshaw fares have also increased due to this