Commuters and road safety activists have renewed demands for a mini-flyover at the Vel’s College–Taluk Office Road junction in Chennai, citing worsening congestion and unsafe road conditions along the Pallavaram–Thoraipakkam Radial Road. Once a relatively calm stretch, the corridor has evolved into a major traffic artery over the past decade due to rapid residential and commercial development.
The radial road links GST Road at Pallavaram with Rajiv Gandhi Salai (Old Mahabalipuram Road) at Thoraipakkam and passes several key landmarks, including Keelkattalai and S. Kolathur lakes, corporate hospitals, educational institutions, malls, and IT establishments. With traffic volumes increasing steadily, commuters say the infrastructure has failed to keep pace with demand.
One of the worst bottlenecks is the Taluk Office Road–Vel’s College junction, which witnesses severe congestion during peak hours. Although a traffic signal is in place, commuters allege frequent violations and inadequate enforcement. Traffic personnel are deployed at the junction, but activists claim regulation remains ineffective, adding to chaos at the intersection.
Citing the success of the Madipakkam–Keelkattalai flyover nearby, residents are urging authorities to consider a similar solution at Vel’s College junction. “A mini-flyover will ensure uninterrupted movement on the radial road and significantly cut travel time towards OMR,” said Santhanam, senior social activist, stressing the need to plan for future traffic growth.
Poor road conditions have further aggravated the problem. The junction is riddled with potholes and uneven patchwork repairs, which commuters say are more dangerous than unrepaired surfaces. The sloping stretch near the Taluk Office Road is particularly challenging for two-wheeler riders and women commuters, while U-turn points are marked by uneven surfaces that heighten accident risks.
Mud and sand accumulation from construction vehicles has narrowed usable carriageway space at several points, forcing motorists into faster lanes. The situation is worsened by neglected service roads and slow-paced culvert work near the Kamakshi Memorial Hospital junction, which has further slowed traffic and intensified congestion, commuters said.
News source: The Hindu
