Widening of Kaliamman Koil Street finally in sight

A view of the congested Kaliamman Koil Street in Virugambakkam. File Photo

A view of the congested Kaliamman Koil Street in Virugambakkam. File Photo   | Photo Credit: S_S_KUMAR

Work on 4.5-km of the stretch will be taken up later this year

There is finally a concrete plan from Greater Chennai Corporation to widen Kaliamman Koil Street between Koyambedu junction and Virugambakkam market, a distance of 4.5 km. According to Corporation officials, the existing bridge across the Virugambakkam–Arumbakkam canal on Kaliamman Koil Street will be widened later this year at a cost of Rs 3.5 crore.

As part of the project, encroachments on both sides of Kaliamman Koil Street will be demolished and the existing 30-feet road widened to 60 feet.

Prior to the commencement of the widening work, a detailed study on how to divert the traffic will be conducted. According to Corporation officials, traffic will be diverted through street lanes along Kaliamman Koil Street. These lanes connect Jawaharlal Nehru Main Road and Arcot Road.

The delay in widening of the stretch has been the result of encroachments and land acquisition problems.

Once widened, the stretch will have a broad concrete footpath with stormwater drains, LED lamps, speed-breakers and a median. Traffic signals will also be set up at key intersections.

“Besides widening, measures should be taken to regulate traffic at spots where street lanes intersect with Kaliamman Koil Street,” says S. Raghavan, a resident of Virugambakkam.