Chennai: To tackle the city’s mounting traffic woes, Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has proposed upgrading tank bund roads skirting waterbodies into full-fledged traffic corridors. A detailed project report (DPR) for the initiative is expected to be taken up shortly to identify the stretches.The city’s rapid urban expansion and a rise in private vehicle ownership have strained the road network over the past decade. Key corridors routinely witness bottlenecks, with buses often caught in slow-moving traffic.“The move is aimed at unlocking underutilised stretches along lakes and tanks, many of which currently function as narrow, poorly maintained roads or service lanes. By widening and strengthening these roads, the civic body hopes to create alternative routes to ease congestion on parallel main roads, particularly during peak hours,” said a senior GCC official.Officials noted that the proposed upgrades would include improving road width, strengthening embankments, enhancing stormwater drains, and ensuring safety features such as guardrails and proper lighting. “Care will be taken to avoid ecological damage to the waterbodies, many of which play a crucial role in flood mitigation and groundwater recharge,” added the official.Residents have welcomed the proposal, saying it could offer much-needed relief from daily congestion. However, some have urged the corporation to balance development with environmental safeguards, warning against any encroachment or disruption to fragile lake ecosystems.“If implemented effectively, the project could serve as a cost-efficient solution compared to large-scale road widening in densely built-up areas. With the DPR set to outline feasibility and timelines, all eyes are now on how quickly the plan moves from paper to execution and whether it can deliver smoother, faster commutes for Chennai’s road users,” said S Jayachandran of the union welfare of Ambattur residents association.
