CMDA Plans Green-Powered Overhaul for Three Key Chennai Junctions

The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) is set to revamp three major traffic junctions Ambattur BSNL, Kaiveli, and Kamakshi Hospital,, focusing on decongestion, safety, and sustainability.

Announced as part of the Tamil Nadu government’s 2024–25 Budget, the project will bring in solar-powered traffic lights, street lamps, and smart systems to improve real-time traffic management. Junction geometry corrections, lane balancing, and new road markings are also planned to streamline vehicle movement and enhance pedestrian safety.

“This initiative is designed to ease bottlenecks and improve overall traffic efficiency,” said a CMDA official.

The junction upgrades will cover:

• Ambattur BSNL Junction – 178,272 sq. ft
• Kaiveli Junction (Velachery Main Road) – 140,582 sq. ft
• Kamakshi Hospital Junction (Velachery Main Road) – 183,955 sq. ft

The upgrades will include designated pedestrian crossings, refuge islands, and traffic islands to manage vehicle flow better. Smart signal systems with real-time monitoring and adaptive timing will be installed to ease congestion and reduce travel delays.

Each site is expected to be completed within three months of being handed over to contractors.

While the integration of renewable energy and smart traffic systems is being welcomed, experts urge the government to address broader issues. “These upgrades are a start, but we also need to remove encroachments and improve road usability, especially around U-turns,” said traffic planner Suresh Menon. He emphasized the need for better inter-agency coordination for lasting impact.

Critics note that pedestrian safety, public transport prioritisation, and encroachment control remain pressing concerns that cannot be resolved with technology alone.