NHAI demolishes abutment built to support proposed port corridor

CHENNAI: After eight years, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has started to dismantle the 17-metre-long abutment which was creating traffic congestion and causing accidents at the Koyambedu-Poonamalle High Road junction.

The abutment was built in the middle of the road to support the proposed elevated corridor between Chennai Port and Maduravoyal. But with the project halted for years, the structure was not put to any use. Instead, it reduced the road width hindering vehicular movement.

Several complaints made by the Chennai traffic police and public to NHAI went unattended even as accidents on the 500m stretch increased and it was declared an accident hotspot. At least 40 accidents were reported every year between 2015 and 2018.