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A team of technical experts from the Tamil Nadu government, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and the Chennai Port Trust — will study issues related to re-alignment and changes, if any, on the stalled ₹1,815-crore elevated road project from Chennai port to Maduravoyal.
The State government had suggested to NHAI on possibility of replacing two-piers with one on a stretch of nearly 2 km on the Cooum river near Spur Tank Road in Chetpet. It also wanted a re-alignment in structure without disturbing Defence quarters near Napier Bridge, said sources.
“The TN government has initiated steps to start the stalled project and asked a few changes. Whatever changes they wanted, we have accepted it. Once the design and alignment is ready, we will give it to them,” Pon Radhakrishnan, MoS, Road Transport and Highways, Shipping, told BusinessLine .
Last year, NHAI had terminated the agreement with the contractor with only 20 per cent of the 19-km road completed. The State government asked the contractor to stop work in 2012 due to realignment issues, which was envisaged for quick movement of vehicles from and to the Chennai port. When initial objections were raised by the State government, NHAI then suggested several alternatives, but all were rejected.
Now, they have asked NHAI to look at the feasibility of implementing the same alternatives by a team of experts, said sources. There is no problem with the construction between Anna Nagar and Thiruverkadu, on the Chennai-Bengaluru bypass road.
When asked whether the elevated road project is still feasible as the Ennore-Manali road has substantially reduced congestion for vehicle movement to and from the port, sources said it is not about the project being useful for the port or not.
It is a must for the public in future to provide quick access to the city from southern and western districts to the Marina beach. It will take only 15 minutes to reach Marina beach from Maduravoyal from over an hour at present.
“The project has to be completed and NHAI has to do this work. The Centre is keen on the project, and is willing to fund the same,” sources said.
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