The district administration would take steps to clear the road blocks hindering the completion of the new road overbridge coming up along the banks of the Cauvery at Odathurai in the city.
The bridge, which would connect the Chinthamani area of the city with the Tiruchi-Chennai bypass, was sanctioned at a cost of Rs. 26 crore. The project took off in March 2010 but faced several impediments and has overshot its scheduled completion date in March 2012.
Though the project has reached advanced stage of construction, it is yet to clear the final hurdle owing to pending litigation. The Railway portion of the work on the project is said to be nearing completion and is expected to be completed soon, the Highways Department is unable to complete the work on the city side of the bridge because of ownership dispute (between an individual and the HR and CE Department) over a piece of land which is pending before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court.
The piece of land comes under the area that was identified for acquisition for the project and the Highways Department has deposited the compensation for the same with the Revenue Department.
Collector K.S.Palanisamy, who inspected the progress of the work along with officials of the Railways, Highways, HR &CE and City Corporation on Thursday, said that the Railway portion of the project would be completed by the end of July. The Railways has also been advised to provide a drain for ensuring the smooth flow of rainwater from Mela Devadhanam, Veeramuthu Nagar, Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, Moovendar Nagar and M.R.V.Nagar into the Cauvery river.
The Highways Department has completed 92 per cent of its work. The Highways Department could not erect a pile for the bridge on the city side owing to the litigation.
Efforts would be made to find an amicable settlement to the dispute between the private individual and the HR&CE Department which is stalling the completion of the remaining portion of the bridge work. Talks would be held by the Revenue Divisional Officer with the individual within a week to find a solution and expedite the construction of the bridge, he said. V.Srinivasan, Deputy Chief Engineer, Southern Railway, Poonkodi, Assistant Divisional Engineer, Highways, S.Nagesh, City Engineer (in-charge), and Suresh, Assistant Commissioner, Rockfort Thayumanaswamy Temple, were present.
Dispute between an individual and the HR and CE over a piece of land is holding back the project