Soma Constructions Ltd., the contractor of the Chennai Port – Maduravoyal Elevated Expressway project, has sought Rs. 103.95 crore from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The latest claim from the company, for the four-month period from January 1, 2013, is towards idling and loss of turnover profit.
The Rs. 1815-crore project that will allow residents of Poonamallee and Vanagaram to commute to the city quicker, has been on hold for over 13 months after the Water Resources Department issued stop notice in March 2012 citing a deviation from the original alignment. The issue is in court.
Of the total length of 18 km, 14 km is along the bank of the Cooum river and 4 km along NH4. The WRD had said that several piers were located inside the river and the width of the pile cap would obstruct free flow of water during monsoon. Around Rs. 500 crore has already been spent on the project and 20 per cent of the work has been completed.
In February, it had sought Rs. 668.8 crore as compensation for the delay in executing the project. In a recent letter to the NHAI, Soma has also sought an interest of Rs. 14 crore for March and April for non-payment of compensation within 30 days.
The company has also requested NHAI to resolve issues including handing over of remaining land, revocation of stoppage of work and reschedule the project deadline.
