Tambaram-Chengalpattu NH-32 to Get 4 Foot Overbridges, CCTV Cameras

Pedestrians travelling along the busy Tambaram-Chengalpattu stretch of NH-32 will soon have safer and more convenient facilities to cross the highway. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has planned four new foot overbridges (FOBs) equipped with lifts and CCTV surveillance at key locations.

The proposed FOBs will be constructed at Urapakkam near Sivan Temple, Guduvanchery near the EB office, Guduvanchery near the railway station, and MM Nagar near Ford Junction. All four locations have been identified as accident-prone black spots, making the project an important step towards improving pedestrian safety.

The ₹11.38-crore project includes several safety and accessibility features. CCTV cameras will be installed at all four locations and connected to the Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) at the NH-32 toll plaza. This will allow the facilities to be monitored remotely.

Each FOB will have lifts on both sides of the highway, with each lift capable of carrying at least 16 people. The facilities are expected to make highway crossings easier for senior citizens, persons with mobility difficulties and other pedestrians.

The pedestrian pathways, including approaches, staircases and lift areas, will be fully illuminated. NHAI also plans to install solar panels on the FOB structures and approach ramps, helping improve energy efficiency.

Additional road safety measures will include guard rails, road studs, chevron signs, information boards, cautionary signs and regulatory signboards near the crossings. The FOBs will maintain a minimum vertical clearance of 5.5 metres above the highway to ensure safe movement of vehicles.

The proposed FOB near Guduvanchery railway station is expected to benefit a large number of commuters and pedestrians accessing the station. The other three locations also experience significant pedestrian movement across NH-32.

NHAI has previously constructed several lift-equipped foot overbridges along the Tambaram-Chengalpattu corridor, including facilities at Perungalathur near Iraniyamman Temple, Vandalur near the railway station, Thailavaram near Estancia Tech Park, Thailavaram near Valliammal Engineering College, Kattankolathur Junction, Maraimalai Junction near Township and Singaperumal Koil railway station.

The latest project is expected to strengthen pedestrian safety on NH-32 and provide safer highway crossings for residents, commuters and motorists travelling between Tambaram and Chengalpattu.