The Kalaignar Karunanidhi Golden Jubilee Arch in Saidapet has come under the scanner of the Chennai Corporation.
Mayor Saidai S.Duraisamy on Monday announced that the civic body will commence a study of all arches on roads in the city. Even as the Mayor was making the announcement, AIADMK councillors stressed the need for scrutiny of all aspects pertaining to Kalaignar Karunanidhi Golden Jubilee Arch in Saidapet.
Responding to the concerns voiced by Subhash Chandra Bose of the DMK on installation of the Tamil Nadu Assembly Diamond Jubilee Memorial Arch near Napier Bridge, the Mayor said “The Corporation will conduct a study of arches in the city. This is in response to the request made by Subhash Chandra Bose to conduct a proper study of all such structures.”
Meanwhile, AIADMK councillors raised the issue of the Kalaignar Karunanidhi Golden Jubilee Arch and the Mayor said the civic body will take a decision on demolition of any arch that has been constructed without adhering to regulations.
Following the announcement by the Mayor, DMK members walked out of the Council. Mr. Bose said the DMK members spoke only about the inconvenience caused to people by the recent decisions of the civic body on Anna Arch and diamond jubilee memorial arch without a complete study of the existing conditions.
“But the Mayor failed to notice the genuine concerns and unnecessarily brought Kalaignar Karunanidhi Golden Jubilee Arch in Saidapet under the scanner,” said Mr. Bose.
The Chennai Corporation council on Monday approved an area of 4,800 sq m in Island Grounds as an alternative location for proposed Tamil Nadu Assembly Diamond Jubilee Memorial Arch. The arch was initially proposed to be built on Rajaji Salai and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had laid the foundation stone for the Arch on October 29, 2012.
A 41-feet-high arch was proposed to be built close to an archeologically significant Fort St. George, which is more than 350 years old. However, the National Monuments Authority in Delhi turned it down as rules prohibit new constructions within 100 metres of any notified monument.
The State government then asked the Chennai Corporation to identify an alternative site for the arch. The Corporation then identified the spot near Napier Bridge.
