CHENNAI: The Chennai Airport flyover at Meenambakkam is all set to get new lights next week. After a requisition was placed by the Greater Chennai Traffic police for installing the lights on the flyover citing safety issues, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) sanctioned 20 lights to be installed.
The flyover did not have any light since its inauguration. The stretch remained dark at night, only being illuminated by the high-beam car lights.
Chennai Airport Flyover is a 1.6-km-long three-laned flyover for one-way traffic from Pallavaram to Alandur. It was built by the NHAI at a cost of ₹98 crore and inaugurated in 2008. It was built to ease congestion on Grand Southern Trunk Road.
Police sources said that installation of lights was a long-term demand from motorists, who found it difficult to cross the stretch during late night. Officials said that lights could not be installed so far as high-mast lights would hinder flight movement, as it was very close to the airport. "We have planned to install dim lights at minimal height, so that they don’t affect aircraft operations at the airport," said a highway official. "This has been done after consultation with the police and airport officials. Though not many accidents have taken place on the flyover, these lights will prevent accidents from happening," said a senior traffic official from St Thomas Mount traffic wing. "This is a welcoming move. Though the well-lit airport is close-by, senior citizens find it difficult to drive in the dark," said Padmanaban, a resident of Nanganallur.
