Anna flyover to turn a standing testimony of Dravidinism – Times of India

CHENNAI: On its 50th year of existence, Chennai’s iconic Anna flyover is all set to become a standing testimony of everything the Dravidian movement stands for.
The Rs 9-crore facelift proposes to have 32 brass plaques with DMK founder and its first chief minister C N Annadurai’s famous quotes like “Kadamai, Kanniyam, Kattuppaadu” (Duty, Dignity, Discipline) and quotes on state’s culture, sovereignty, autonomy and development.
A six-foot lion statue, carved in Pallava period style, would be installed at the triangular traffic island on Cathedral Road-Anna flyover junction, and Nungambakkam high road-Anna flyover meeting point. On all the eight entry and exit points, stone pillars would be installed to give the structure an ethnic look.

Now, the original foundation stone, which is hidden from public view, would be reinstalled along with a plaque, marking the renovation work, at a vantage point. A flame-shaped artwork would be kept atop the two plaques.
“The beautification and restoration of the flyover will mark the 50th year of the foundation stone-laying programme that happened in 1971,” said a highways department official, requesting anonymity.
Former chief minister M Karunanidhi had laid the foundation in 1971 and the state’s first flyover was built at a cost of Rs 70 lakh. It was thrown open for traffic on July 1, 1973. Besides being a landmark, the 800-metre flyover has been handling the traffic flow from Cathedral Road, Anna Salai, and Nungambakkam high road with aplomb for decades.
The flyover would get a fresh coat elephant grey paint, which was its original colour. An open play area available adjacent to the bridge on the Semmozhi Poonga side would be renovated and four uneven stone carvings with Tamil letters would be installed there. The Periyar statue present inside the park area will be raised by at least five feet for better visibility.
Renowned artist Trotsky Marudu has been roped in to give shape to the concept that captures the milestone of Tamil civilization, starting from Sangam era. “The artwork and sculptures will be a blend of traditional and modern art. The lion sculpture will be of Pallava style model, while the abstract art form will also be used to capture the history of Southern India and its phenomenal socio-economic growth,” said Trotsky Marudu.
As of now, at least 80 pillars holding the flyover have been covered with a side wall, and converted into godown by the state highways department all these years, said Thousand Lights constituency MLA Dr Ezhilan.
“We want to restore it to its old glory and use the abundant space beneath the flyover to highlight Tamil civilization and recreate the landmarks of Dravidian politics with sculpture and sketches. The golden words Anna will be inscribed on the pillars,” he said.
Tamil Nadu government has already sanctioned Rs 9 crore for the project, which would be implemented by the state highways department. It will be completed within three months from the date commencement of work.
The entire project will be taken up and completed without any hindrance to traffic, said an official, adding: “Only 80 metres of the flyover is being used for traffic at present. The key components like sculptures and landscape will come up in the remaining space. Easy access will also be provided for the public.”