Construction Accelerates on Chennai’s Anna Salai Flyover During Pongal Holidays

The Tamil Nadu Highways Department is making the most of the Pongal holidays to speed up construction on the long-awaited Anna Salai flyover in Chennai. With traffic expected to remain lighter during the festive break, the department has ramped up operations along the 3.2 km stretch between Saidapet and Teynampet, one of the city’s busiest corridors.

Officials said the reduced traffic volumes during the holidays have provided an ideal window to execute major civil works without causing major inconvenience to commuters. Around 300 additional workers from West Bengal have joined the existing team of 350, taking the total workforce to nearly 650. The deployment aims to ensure that multiple construction activities can be carried out simultaneously, significantly cutting down project timelines.

Currently, the focus is on bar bending, reinforcement, deck erection, and soil excavation, all being executed in a coordinated manner to maximize productivity. Out of the planned 134 pillars, 65 have already been completed, with most of the progress visible on the Saidapet side. Authorities expect to begin erecting the remaining pillars in the coming weeks.

Nearly 98% of foundation work is complete, marking a major milestone for the project. Eight decks are ready for installation over the extended Pongal weekend, with additional deck segments being brought in to maintain uninterrupted progress.

However, challenges remain. Excavation work at Eldam’s Road junction near Teynampet has been delayed due to heavy traffic and pending permissions. Once clearances are received, officials plan to resume digging immediately.
Construction on the Teynampet–Nandanam stretch resumed recently after the relocation of a 233kV Tangedco transmission line, allowing pillar erection to progress smoothly along the entire route.

The project, once completed, is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion along Anna Salai, enhancing connectivity for thousands of daily commuters. Residents, while urging safety improvements around construction zones, have welcomed the department’s efforts to complete the work swiftly.