The government has sanctioned the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority to carry out necessary studies for the construction of bridges over the Buckingham Canal along the OMR and ECR. | Photo credit: M. KARUNAKARAN
In an effort to establish a link between Injambakkam on the East Coast Road and Kannagi Nagar on the Old Mahabalipuram Road, the state government has given in-principle approval for the construction of bridges over the Buckingham Canal that runs between these roads.
A recent government order issued by the housing and urban development department pointed to an announcement made in the budget session of the Legislative Assembly last year to establish such connectivity at a cost of ₹180 crore.
The government has sanctioned the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) to carry out the forecast and carry out the necessary studies for the same. A meeting held in October 2022 under the chairmanship of the Highways Secretary discussed the establishment of links.
Among the issues discussed was a request for vertical cleaning of bridges over the canal as part of the National Waterways project. “It would need to be at least seven meters above the high tide level, so the ramps on both sides would be 220 meters long,” the official said.
The consultant suggested that the roads could be built on the embankments of the canal and the bridges could have swings at the top.
A retired highway department official said at least three or four bridges would be required along the stretch from Thiruvanmiyur to Akkarai to decongest the two roads. “Connectivity is needed even beyond that to Muttukadu. The CMDA and the Highways Department should take note of this and plan for the future,” he said.
Another official source explained that the extension of Thoraipakkam-Pallavaram road under construction in Thoraipakkam could be connected to one of these proposed bridges.