CMDA to take up rectification works on skywalk at Kilambakkam bus terminus

The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) would soon be taking up corrective steps on the skywalk project being executed at the Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus (KCBT) in Kilambakkam.

The ₹79-crore skywalk project links the bus terminus with the newly constructed halt railway station across the GST Road. Social media is rife with pictures of the project showing the alleged threat posed by the structure to users.

A senior official of the CMDA said the 275-metre skywalk project was being executed in three phases. The first phase of installing the deck for the skywalk from the MTC bus stop across one portion of the GST Road has been completed.

However, the consultant, Centre for Urbanisation, Buildings and Environment (CUBE), an arm of IIT-Madras, engaged for the first phase has flagged minor load deflection issues. As per the technical report, minor deflection above the permissible levels of deflection has been identified in the installed structure. To rectify the issue, CMDA has now engaged structural engineers of IIT-Madras, and as per their advice, the rectification measure of deploying more weight above the deck slab has been proposed. However, due to delay in getting permissions on the congested GST Road, the work was pending and would be taken up by the end of this week. 

For the second stretch of the skywalk from GST Road to the private land, which has been acquired, structural engineers of IIT-Madras were engaged as the design of the skywalk would be a little skewed. “We do not see any structural issues in the second stretch for which all structural works of readying the deck have been completed and ready for installation,” said the official.

Once the rectification works in the deck are completed, lifts on both sides would be installed for passengers to safely cross the crowded road, he added. Meanwhile, the Southern Railway has completed all civil works of paving the platforms at the new halt station in Kilambakkam.