Mon Mar 10 19:06:36 UTC 2025: ## New Road to Ease Chennai Traffic Congestion, But at Environmental Cost

**Chennai, March 11, 2025** – A new 600-meter road connecting Greenways Road and Durgabai Deshmukh Road near Thiru.Vi.Ka. Bridge in Chennai is under construction to alleviate traffic congestion. The ₹27 crore project, approved in 2022 and cleared by the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) authority, is expected to take a year to complete. The three-lane road will allow motorists traveling from Santhome High Road to Mandaveli to bypass heavy traffic. A portion of the road between T.N. Rajarathinam Pillai Hall and Greenways Road will become one-way.

However, the project has sparked controversy due to the planned removal of 57 trees, with 12 to be transplanted. Residents express concerns over the loss of mature trees, highlighting their environmental significance and the impact on local flora and fauna. Four trees were already felled on Saturday, prompting local protests. While officials from the Highways Department argue that the tree removal is necessary for road construction and that new trees will be planted, residents are calling for alternative solutions to mitigate the environmental impact. Mylapore MLA Dha. Velu supports the project, citing its importance in easing peak-hour traffic. The project involves demolishing and reconstructing several structures, including a pet care center and a portion of the judges’ quarters.

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