Traffic Chaos Grips Puducherry as Key Railway Crossing Closes for Flyover Construction

Puducherry, September 15, 2025

A major traffic disruption hit Puducherry today as the AFT railway crossing on Cuddalore Road was completely closed to vehicular traffic. This closure marks a significant phase in the construction of a new railway overbridge, a project that is part of the Union Territory’s broader infrastructure development agenda. The unexpected scale of the traffic diversions led to considerable confusion and delays for commuters, highlighting the challenges of urban development in a city with a compact road network. The AFT mill railway crossing, a crucial artery for connecting the southern parts of the city with the central and northern areas, was shut down to allow for the construction of a railway overbridge. The project, estimated to cost Rs 72 crore, is a joint initiative of the Puducherry Government and the Southern Railway. While the long-term goal is to ease traffic congestion by eliminating the need for vehicles to wait at the railway gate, the immediate effect has been a logistical nightmare for thousands of daily commuters. Authorities had released a temporary traffic plan, advising alternate routes. However, the sheer volume of traffic, including buses and heavy vehicles, attempting to navigate the new diversions caused significant bottlenecks on already congested roads. The diversion plan directs heavy and medium vehicles from the bus stand towards Cuddalore to take a U-turn at CV Road Junction and proceed via Maraimalai Adigal Road, Nellithope, and Indira Gandhi Junction. Similarly, vehicles coming from Cuddalore towards Puducherry were instructed to turn at Marapalam Junction. The closure is expected to last for several months. While acknowledging the public inconvenience, government officials have appealed for cooperation, stating that the project is essential for modernizing the city's infrastructure and ensuring smoother long-term traffic flow. They are monitoring the situation to make necessary adjustments to the traffic plan. This infrastructure upgrade is a critical component of the ongoing efforts to enhance Puducherry's urban landscape and accommodate its growing population and tourist influx. The administration is banking on the public's patience and cooperation to see the project through to completion, which promises to transform a persistent choke point into a seamless travel corridor.