Thu Apr 10 16:27:07 UTC 2025: ## OMR Service Lane Upgrade to Improve Pedestrian Safety and Traffic Flow
**Chennai, April 10, 2025** – A stretch of the service lane on Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) near VHS Hospital in Taramani is set for a significant upgrade, according to the Tamil Nadu Road Development Company (TNRDC). The improvements, slated to begin shortly, will focus on enhancing pedestrian safety and traffic flow in the area.
Currently, the uneven surface of the service lane poses challenges for pedestrians and drivers, particularly at night. To address this, the TNRDC will replace the existing interlocking bricks with a bituminous tar top, creating a smoother surface similar to the main carriageway. A new footpath will also be constructed alongside planter boxes separating the service lane from the main road. Improved lighting will be installed throughout the area.
The project will also include the creation of a new opening onto the main carriageway for heavy vehicles, while a barrier will be erected to restrict service lane access to cars, ambulances, auto-rickshaws, and two-wheelers. Four existing trees, including two banyans, will be preserved.
In related news, the TNRDC has cleared construction debris from footpaths up to the SRP Tools junction, addressing a previous issue of pedestrian safety caused by rubbish dumping. Increased patrolling is also planned to prevent future littering. The upgrades are expected to benefit students from nearby institutions, hospital patients, and commuters alike.
First Piper 