Guess where this costly cow shelter is?

CHENNAI: It was meant to be the one-shot solution to Koyambedu’s traffic woes, when it was commissioned in 2007. Truth be told, the six-armed grade separator has done all that it promised for traffic; what it has inadvertently done at night is double up as the city’s most expensive cow-shelter. Regulars who drive by the grade separator and turn towards Koyambedu from Poonamallee High Road don’t even flinch these days when they see close to 30 cows, tethered and resting on a bed of hay, under the structure. Constructed at an estimated `100 crore, the ‘Koyambedu flyover’, as it is popularly known, has been the night shelter for these beasts of burden since early 2011, says Rajavelu, a resident of Jai Nagar who passes by every night.It turns out that these cows apparently belong to the residents of Arumbakkam, who have been rearing the animals to pull bullock carts for ages. “Before this area became modernised, the entire area was filled with cow owners who raised the animals in sheds within their compounds,” explains Raghuram, a 71-year-old watchman who also keeps an eye on the cows at night. “When they all demolished their places and built flats, they did not want to let the cow business go as it is still very profitable.” Just as they were grappling for space and complaints were made about cattle tethered on the streets, the grade separator arrived like a blessing, he claims.It was meant to be a temporary measure to keep the cows dry during the rains. “Initially, only one or two dared to keep them here, fearing the authorities, but after no problems were created, most of them have made it their regular spot,” explains the watchman. By and by, as the traffic on Poonamallee High Road began increasing, so also did the bovine population beneath the metal structure. In fact, now even the bullock carts are parked here overnight. Ambujam*, who lives just adjacent to the area, says that her neighbour owns three cows tethered there. “We are glad that the cows are gone now as they don’t occupy our narrow street. No one is using that space underneath the flyover anyway,” she contends.True enough. What ended up being one of the previous DMK regimes’ parting gifts to Chennai, is yet to see the land underneath and around it, utilised or even spruced up. An NHAI official confirmed that the area was entrusted to them but declined to comment on why it had not been developed for almost a year now.Once dawn breaks though, the scene changes instantly — the cows and carts disappear, to go about their daily work of hauling loads across the city. And the traffic arrives, as another day in the metropolis begins.