The Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Thiru T. R. Baalu reviewed the progress of two ambitious Chennai Road Projects today with Union Road Transport and Highways Secretary, chairman, National Highways Authority of India and officials from Tamil Nadu Road Development Company (TNRDC), the Management Associates of NHAI for the special project for providing smooth access to Chennai traffic to the Golden Quadrilateral. One of the projects includes construction of grade separators at Kathipara and Koyambedu junctions, elevated rotary at Padi junction, flyover at international airport, widening to four-lanes from Maduravoyal to Koyambedu at NH-4, which was sanctioned by the Union Ministry this year at an estimated cost of Rs.196 crore. The second project envisages widening of existing two-lane Chennai Bypass Phase-I (19.17 kms.) to four lanes and construction of new four-lane Chennai Bypass Phase-II (13.00 kms.) at an estimated cost of Rs.480 crore by NHAI.
Concreting of test piles at Koyambedu and Padi sites respectively has been completed on time and confirmatory borings for the purposes of soil explorations is in progress. Kathipara flyover is based on open foundations where foundation works for the six piers have been completed on land areas already available with the NHAI. Preliminary preparatory works pertaining to setting out of alignment etc. have been completed at Airport flyover site and widening of NH-4 road stretch from Maduravoyal to Koyambedu. Chairman, NHAI informed that construction of three piers with 18 piles at Koyambedu would commence by 17th August 2005 after obtaining requisite permission for traffic diversion. Further, construction of foundation for additional four piers would also commence by the third week of August 2005 at Kathipara site.
Chairman, NHAI informed the Union Minister that a total of Rs.11.63 crore had been paid to Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (Rs.1.63 crore) and Metro Water Board (Rs.10 crore) for shifting of electrical poles and water supply and sewage pipes. However, shifting of these utilities is yet to start.
During the review it was revealed that so far the works had been completed on time as envisaged as they were carried out on the land area already available with the Project Authorities. For carrying out further works at Koyambedu and Kathipara project sites, the additional land required from the Tamil Nadu Small Scale Industries Development Corporation (SIDCO), Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB)and privately owned lands needs to be made available at the earliest to avoid delay in project implementation. It was informed in the meeting that the SIDCO and TNHB had since recommended for sparing the lands in question for the projects to the Tamil Nadu State Government long back but the formal approval of the State Government is still awaited.
Chairman, NHAI also expressed concern over delay in transfer of land of Airports Authority of India for Airport Flyover project. Thiru Baalu immediately took up the matter with Thiru Prafful Patel, Union Minister of Civil Aviation. Thiru Patel agreed to facilitate expeditious accord of enter upon permission to NHAI pending completion of formalities for formal transfer of land.
Thiru Baalu expressed his happiness on the progress of road widening work of Chennai Bypass Phase I which is being carried out as targeted. It was explained to the Union Minister that this could be possible as this part of the project did not require any additional land by way of acquisition or shifting of utilities. Chairman, NHAI brought to the notice of Hon’ble Union Minister that practically no progress could be achieved in the Chennai Bypass Phase II part of this project for want of land acquisition and shifting of utilities by the State Government.
Thiru Baalu expressed satisfaction over the progress made so far and instructed the officials to further accelerate the pace and put concerted efforts for expediting the land acquisition process and shifting of utilities, wherever required.
NCJ/BS
(Release ID :10866)