The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Residents lose crucial link

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Tuesday, Nov 03, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Residents lose crucial link

Vidya Venkat

As the bridge connecting Indira Nagar with Rajiv Gandhi Salai (IT Corridor) collapsed

They also pointed out that the bridge was poorly maintained and the iron has rusted completely

CHENNAI: Chennai Corporation will decide on what must be done to restore the narrow iron bridge over the Buckingham Canal in Indira Nagar by the end of this month. “We will raise the matter before the Council and decide whether the bridge should be maintained as an exclusive pedestrian facility or upgraded to take in vehicular traffic as well,” Corporation Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni said. He said that the site would be cleared and there was little possibility for putting up a temporary facility.

He added that the civic body had filed a criminal complaint against the driver of the lorry as the bridge was only meant for pedestrians and two-wheelers.

Mangled beyond repair after the lorry, laden with bricks, tried crossing it in the early hours of Sunday morning, the bridge served as a vital link connecting Indira Nagar with Rajiv Gandhi Salai (IT Corridor).

S. Panneerselvam, who lives near the bridge, said earlier barricades were put up at both ends of the bridge to prevent heavy vehicles from entering but they were recently removed. He, however, had no clue as to who removed them. Residents also pointed out that the bridge was poorly maintained and the iron has rusted completely.

The bridge collapse has affected residents in Adyar, Besant Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur and Taramani, who travel regularly to the IT Corridor. Residents in Indira Nagar said in the absence of this bridge, they would have to take a long detour via Madhya Kailash, Adyar to reach the IT Corridor. For those who wish to reach Adyar and Besant Nagar from the IT Corridor will now have to come via LB Road, also a roundabout route.

S. Sridhar of the Kasturba Nagar Residents Association said the bridge was popular among morning walkers and cyclists who will now be forced to seek alternative spaces. “Also, for several people employed in software companies commuting on two-wheeler, this served as a short route for accessing their work place,” he said.

S.Velu, a tea-shop owner in Indira Nagar said even access to the Mass Rapid Transit System railway stations in Indira Nagar and Thiruvanmiyur will be affected because of this. “Every day morning I see several students of Central Polytechnic College, Taramani using the bridge. They will all now have to take a detour to reach their campus,” he said.

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