Much-Needed Foot Overbridge for Pedestrians to be Built in Velachery for ₹14 Crore

The much-needed foot overbridge (FOB) in Velachery, which is set to be built at an estimated cost of ₹14 crore, will come up spanning across Velachery Main Road, near Nalli Silks, to ensure safety for the commuters exiting from the Velachery MRTS station.

Currently, pedestrians face considerable risks while navigating the busy Velachery Main Road. Many travelers are forced to either jump over the median or take a lengthy detour under the railway bridge, covering nearly 800 meters. Vehicles zooming down from both the Velachery and Taramani sides make it quite hazardous to jaywalk.

The fully enclosed FOB with escalators, lifts, and inclined stairs will ensure full accessibility. The state highways department will take care of this project and looks forward to safer crossing for the people who travel to nearby schools, offices, hotels, and shops. Muralidar, a divisional engineer from the Chennai Metropolitan Development Plan (CMDP) wing said that the project does not have any land acquisition and construction works are likely to start before March-end. The bridge is expected to be completed within 14 months.

For years, residents, led by the AGS Colony Residents Welfare Association, have been advocating for this bridge. Geetha Ganesh, the association’s secretary, proposed an interim solution in the form of a signaled zebra crossing near the Four Points by the Sheraton Hotel. However, highway officials argue that a pedestrian signal could disrupt traffic flow, especially as vehicles from the nearby Vijayanagar flyovers merge into the Velachery railway bridge just 300 meters away.

Residents, however, point to frequent wrong-side driving as a major contributor to congestion. Many office-goers, food delivery agents, and parents dropping children at private schools are known to drive on the wrong side, often blocking traffic and increasing the risk of accidents. Some have suggested that increasing traffic police presence during peak hours could alleviate some of the issues.

In addition to this project, the CMDP wing has revived plans for a similar FOB at Koyambedu, also estimated at ₹14 crore.