The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) recently terminated the agreement with the contractor of the ill-fated Rs. 1,815-crore Chennai Port- Maduravoyal elevated corridor project.
Only about 20 per cent of the 19-km road had been completed when a stop-work notice was issued in 2012 by the State government.
The many tall pillars along the Cooum and in Maduravoyal on Poonamallee High Road are remainders of the project planned to decongest the arterial road and improve cargo movement from and to the port.
“We had hoped the project would take off as it would relieve congestion from the Zero Gate of the Chennai port. Out-bound traffic to Sriperumbudur takes Poonamallee High Road at night and with container-carrying trailers driving shoulder to shoulder, it is a nightmare for smaller vehicles that take the road at that time,” said a long-time port user.
NHAI sources said that one of the major contentions of the Water Resources Department was that the pillars constructed along the Cooum would cause flooding in the river. “However, during last year’s flooding, our people visited the spot and the pillars did not prove to be a hindrance to water flow,” a source said.
So far, around Rs. 500 crore has been spent on the project. “We are ready to effect any change suggested by the government. If a go-ahead is given, we can call for fresh bids and revive the project at any point,” the source added.
The contract has been terminated as the contractor did not take up work on the 4-km stretch at Maduravoyal. “Even along the Cooum river, the High Court has given its clearance for resuming the work. There is only a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court and there is no order to stop the work,” said the official.
