Teynampet-Saidapet Flyover On Anna Salai Delayed To 2027 After Redesign

The construction of the 3.2-kilometre elevated corridor between Teynampet and Saidapet on Anna Salai has hit a major engineering challenge, pushing its completion deadline from September 2026 to February 2027.

The Rs 621-crore project, which began in January 2024, required a mid-construction redesign by the state highways department after engineers found that existing underground Chennai Metro Rail foundations in the Nandanam-Teynampet stretch were not straight. Under the original plan, the flyover's central pillars were supposed to rest on these existing Metro foundations. Officials realized that building directly on them would result in a skewed and curved elevated structure.

To resolve the alignment issue, the department approved a change of scope to replace central pillars with portal pillars along the affected section. Under the revised plan, 45 pillars will be built at the Teynampet and Nandanam Metro stations, with Chennai Metro Rail Limited providing foundation support on station walls.

The redesign also accounts for the varying width of Anna Salai. The road narrows to 28 metres near Cenotaph Road and 32 metres near Arivalayam, compared to 36 metres at DMS and 40 metres at Saidapet. Officials noted that placing central pillars in the narrower sections would severely disrupt vehicular movement.

The engineering complication emerged after substantial progress had already been achieved. More than 80 pillars, girders, and 50 spans have already been built or placed, primarily on the Saidapet-Nandanam side. The project uses prefabricated steel structures installed on Metro station foundations to minimise construction time and reduce traffic impact at ground level.

Officials stated that their immediate focus is executing the redesign of the affected section without escalating project costs. However, department officials acknowledged that meeting the revised February 2027 deadline may prove challenging, and commuters along the busy Anna Salai corridor will continue to face diversions and traffic disruptions while structural work proceeds.