Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) on Sunday achieved a milestone in improving suburban train connectivity in Kilambakkam Bus Terminus, as it completed work on placing 100 tonnes of prefabricated deck slab for the skywalk across one arm of the GST Road.

The work on the second arm of the skywalk is expected to be completed at a suitable time in the first week of December when footfall is the lowest in Kilambakkam. Once the portion of the skywalk across GST Road is completed, passengers will be able to cross the congested GST Road at ease.

CMDA is expected to expedite the work on the other portions of the skywalk inside the suburban railway station and a part of the private land before Pongal.

The skywalk is expected to be launched by the end of January 2026.

"We started work on the 33 metre deck slab of the skywalk at 1 a.m. on Sunday and completed the work across the portion of GST Road towards Chengalpattu at 1 p.m. All traffic diversions have been lifted on Sunday, and the area is now open to regular traffic. Once the next portion of deck slab is placed across the stretch of GST Road towards Perungalathur, passengers will be able to cross GST Road from Kilambakkam Railway Station and reach MTC and Mofussil Bus Terminus," said an official.

The skywalk can be expanded in future to connect five railway platforms to cater to additional passengers and ease congestion.

As eight lakh passengers have visited the area during the recent festival season, CMDA is planning to create more facilities for safety of passengers in the nine metres wide deck of the skywalk, permitting small kiosks, restrooms, ticket counters and facilities for mobility of senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Around 30,000 to 60,000 passengers visit the terminus during normal days.

In addition to suburban train connectivity, land acquisition for Metro Rail in Kilambakkam is expected to be expedited for implementing the project in two years.

On Sunday, vehicular traffic on the GST Road was diverted near the Kilambakkam terminus to facilitate the construction of the skywalk. As vehicles were not allowed on the Vandalur grade separator and allowed only to take the service lane, traffic movement slowed down considerably.

Sources in the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) said that they had given the NOC to the CMDA to expedite the construction of the skywalk. "This has been done on the condition that vehicular movement is not affected in any manner on GST Road. During the traffic diversion, supporting sub structure and steel super structure that form the walkway were being placed on top."

On completion of the skywalk, the pedestrian crossing on the road will be closed.