Fri Oct 31 23:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Chennai to Widen 488 Bus Routes to Combat Congestion
CHENNAI, November 1, 2025 – The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has announced plans to widen the carriageways of all 488 bus routes in the city in an effort to alleviate persistent traffic congestion. The initiative will involve the removal of encroachments, end-to-end paving, and overall redesign of roads.
The announcement follows numerous complaints from residents and motorists regarding traffic bottlenecks in areas like Manapakkam Main Road, M.G. Road, and Dharmarajapuram. Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises T.M. Anbarasan, alongside Chennai Corporation Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran and other officials, inspected a particularly congested stretch from Manapakkam Riverview Avenue Main Road to Kundrathur on Friday.
According to GCC officials, the end-to-end paving project has already increased the width of Gandhi Irwin Bridge Road, Binny Road, CSIR Road, and Pallavan Salai by 60 cm, providing more space for motorists, particularly motorcycle riders. “Work on improving the carriageway of the 488 bus routes will be carried out,” one official stated.
In addition to widening, the GCC plans to remove streetlights that obstruct traffic flow on congested roads.
However, challenges remain. Ward 88 councillor G.V. Nagavalli highlighted ongoing congestion near Padi Flyover and called for the widening of CTH Road, a request she says the Highways Department has yet to address. Ward 104 councillor T.V. Shemmozhi echoed these concerns, urging the creation of a link road along the Cooum connecting Pillayar Koil Street and Padi Kuppam Road to ease congestion near V.R. Mall.
It was also noted that several proposals to acquire land for further road widening have been shelved, presenting a potential obstacle to the project’s long-term success. Despite these hurdles, the GCC remains committed to improving traffic flow across Chennai.
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