ECR and OMR - Lifelines of Chennai ...
ECR (or East Coast Road) - a state highway that connects the city to various tourist destinations down south like Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry and other Indians temple towns and heritage places.
This route was designed to ease the traffic on the Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR, and today the Rajiv Gandhi Salai) which was bursting on its seams because of the unprecedented mass relocation of big software firms and other institutions.
There were 2 roads leading to the same destination, one which was awfully choked while the other was supposed to ease the pressure. There wasn't enough thought given on various aspects while the plan was being formulated which resulted in the plan going awfully wrong and traffic snarls and major accidents became a feature. Travel on these roads became a nightmare.
And suddenly, some sane individual (or group of individuals) decided that enough was enough. The plans were re-drawn. The ECR was the first to be upgraded (if I may say so).
The lanes were clearly marked with reflectors (no road in the city had this, and I presume ECR had the privilege of being the first) that were placed all along the route till Pondicherry. Medians, high mast lighting and speed-breakers were erected in all residential areas through which the road weaved its way. Encroachments were cleared and the 2-way carriageway (one for each direction), now supported 2 lanes on each side with ample space being made available for cyclists and pedestrians. A nominal toll (the toll plaza is once again a first for the city) is collected from all vehicles using this road and this amount has been best utilised in maintaining the road as smooth as silk.
Taking a cue from the success story of the ECR, the state government has embarked on achieving the same with the OMR. With software giants peppering the busy road and logistics becoming a headache, this development work was expected sooner than later.
Today, ECR is regarded as ONE of THE BEST ROADS in the country and is an apt example to showcase what the government is capable of with regards to infrastructure development. The OMR is closely following suit and one day will surely dethrone the ECR from its numero uno position.
The nightmares have now becomes LIFELINES of the city. Wonder what would have happened to Chennai but for the transformation of these two roads over the last decade.
P.S.: You might be wondering why the hell I am blogging about two roads. It is because these are the best roads in the city today and their proximity to the Chennai coastline adds an X factor. The pleasure one experiences while on an evening cruise cannot be described in words, but needs to be experienced in person.
This route was designed to ease the traffic on the Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR, and today the Rajiv Gandhi Salai) which was bursting on its seams because of the unprecedented mass relocation of big software firms and other institutions.
There were 2 roads leading to the same destination, one which was awfully choked while the other was supposed to ease the pressure. There wasn't enough thought given on various aspects while the plan was being formulated which resulted in the plan going awfully wrong and traffic snarls and major accidents became a feature. Travel on these roads became a nightmare.
And suddenly, some sane individual (or group of individuals) decided that enough was enough. The plans were re-drawn. The ECR was the first to be upgraded (if I may say so).
The lanes were clearly marked with reflectors (no road in the city had this, and I presume ECR had the privilege of being the first) that were placed all along the route till Pondicherry. Medians, high mast lighting and speed-breakers were erected in all residential areas through which the road weaved its way. Encroachments were cleared and the 2-way carriageway (one for each direction), now supported 2 lanes on each side with ample space being made available for cyclists and pedestrians. A nominal toll (the toll plaza is once again a first for the city) is collected from all vehicles using this road and this amount has been best utilised in maintaining the road as smooth as silk.
Taking a cue from the success story of the ECR, the state government has embarked on achieving the same with the OMR. With software giants peppering the busy road and logistics becoming a headache, this development work was expected sooner than later.
Today, ECR is regarded as ONE of THE BEST ROADS in the country and is an apt example to showcase what the government is capable of with regards to infrastructure development. The OMR is closely following suit and one day will surely dethrone the ECR from its numero uno position.
The nightmares have now becomes LIFELINES of the city. Wonder what would have happened to Chennai but for the transformation of these two roads over the last decade.
P.S.: You might be wondering why the hell I am blogging about two roads. It is because these are the best roads in the city today and their proximity to the Chennai coastline adds an X factor. The pleasure one experiences while on an evening cruise cannot be described in words, but needs to be experienced in person.
posted by Kaushik R @ 22:43 IST
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