And forced the State to take a detour after demolition efforts over the past few days failed
New Year’s Day, 1986, witnessed the inauguration of a very important landmark in the city — the ornamental twin arches of Anna Nagar. It was built to commemorate the platinum jubilee of former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai and the work was completed in just 105 days.
The past week, work had been afoot to bring down the mega structures that stand at the entrance of a well-planned area within the city. However, several issues, including rains and machinery problems, plagued the work and slowed it down. On Wednesday, the work was brought to a halt with Chief Minister Jayalalithaa deciding to retain the 57-feet-high structure and move the proposed flyover’s arm by 20 metres.
The delay in bringing down the mammoth structure proved a blessing in disguise as it attracted the attention of the Chief Minister. Sources said no amount of bull-dozing or use of explosives was capable of bringing down such a gigantic structure.
“It is not a structure that could simply be razed with precise calculations. To demolish it, we would have to cordon off the entire area, which would have been impossible. The work was taken up on the condition that traffic would be allowed through one side of the arch,” said a source in the Highways Department.
The latest decision would mean a difference in the turning radius of the flyover and a change in the weaving length (where vehicles change lanes to get onto the flyover) from 100 metres to, say, 40 metres, and reduced vehicle speed at that point.
Repair works will be carried out on the arches to mend it in places where the machinery cut into the structure. The incisions will be opened further and the steel rods inside the structure will be tested for strength and reinforced. The arches were designed by Ganapathy Sthapathi who was honoured by then Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran during their inauguration.
Other arches in the State, however, have not been as lucky. Former officials recalled how three arches constructed to commemorate the world Tamil conference in Tanjore were pulled down to make way for two flyovers and road widening.
One arch at Nagapattinam Road was demolished as it stood at the centre of the flyover and another at Pattukottai Road had to go to make way for an approach road to a flyover. The third one, near Tamil University, was brought down to widen the road at that point, the official said.
Keywords: Anna arches, Chennai city arches
Though the decision is a welcome relief, in terms of the detour and the change of design/alinment metro project will be delayed not to mention about the cost implications. Change in turning radius and reduction in waeving length from 100 to 40 m. will result in slowing down of the vehicles and the consequent traffic jams which will be againstthe very philosophy of the metro project.Acquiring new land, diversion of existing service will pose lot of problems
In general in India and T Nadu in particular, erection of arches & statues in public places with out any concern for future expansions are the main reasons for lack of infrastructure development.Road cooridors should be earmarked with future expansion in plan and no structure shall be allowed to be constructed with in the road corridors
If this was built by Karunanithi, she would have brought it down!!! Having lived in Anna Nagar all my life, i don't see the purpose of these arches or what it serves...More than anything ppl passing thru don't even give a first glance forget about a second glance at this as it is covered by wires... extending the flyover would cost much more.. it is time she rethinks her priorities or people will rethink theirs during elections
Kudos to Late Sri Ganapathy Stapathy.
As usual, a stupid decision by the administration. Already the traffic is congested due to non-planning of roads and now we are introducing a planned congestion. No one can save Chennai. What is the purpose of the Arch. It serves no use to the public and now it has actually proved to be a hindrance. Administrators and politicians have taken a oath to not use their brain, when it comes to public matters! What a shame!
At Pudukkottai, an arch built one and half centuries ago in commemoration of the diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria, Empress of India, was brought down. It stood as a symbol for the district and we people still miss it. Alternatives have to be thought thoroughly before deciding on something that is historically significant.
Glorification of leaders costs money and that could be well spent on the social issues of day-to-day life Chennai citizens. This is a contemporary reality.
Damage is done. We can not expect the same sturdiness of the this structure in future.
Its proud to hear that our monuments are preserved. Its better to revamp
& maintain than to destroy.Currently the traffic is heavy and further
making it a single way may make the city stand still,since Metro is also
on move.
it seems innoccuous that in the era of planned and dedicated demolition are carried throughout the world,without disturbing other structures,the PWD used archaic moethods to remove the arches intact at the behest of somebody.The structure could have easily been demolished,had expert opinion was solicited in advance.Having bungled,they are trying to bury the matter under sentiments.Having suffered damages,will it be at its original strength?So the money spent to remove the arches goes into unplanned expenditure.There may be political mechinations,which will nwt see the light of the day.
Does our great PWD engineers want us to believe that this silly arch
cannot be demolished? Call Madurai based granite mafia. They were able
to demolish and remove entire granite-hills from the vicinity of
Madurai. For them this arch will be a child's play.
The structures has stood the test of time for stability and quality of construction, probably unlike the other which were brought down! The present idea to retain the structure comes as a good gesture from Government.
Poor poor decision.
"The latest decision would mean a difference in the turning radius of the flyover and a change in the weaving length (where vehicles change lanes to get onto the flyover) from 100 metres to, say, 40 metres, and reduced vehicle speed at that point. "
Why then hell then pay Rs.117 crore for a piece of concrete junk that is not going to reduce congestion? With the advancements in civil/structural engineering, chances are that they could have moved this to another location, like they transplant trees. We never think forward...do we?
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