The much-awaited widening work on Medavakkam Main Road is once again facing an obstacle — this time in the form of a statue.
Residents and motorists recalled that for the last several years, most parts of the busy Medavakkam Main Road has been two-lane but narrow. Though the State Highways Department nine years ago took up widening of the 9.1-km road, which stretches from St. Thomas Mount railway station up to Medavakkam Koot Road junction near Quaid-E-Milleth Government College, the work is yet to be completed.
In the last two months, work on the construction of storm water drains was carried out. Though it put the traders and their customers to inconvenience, they welcomed it as it would help in reducing inundation during the rainy season.
But the highways contractor faced a hurdle with a statue of MGR, which is located at the entrance of the Keelkattalai bus terminus. When the workers wanted to relocate it, ruling party members opposed the move.
“With this objection, we could not complete the project for about 10 yards near the bus terminus and have sought the help of officials of the Highways Department,” said a worker at the spot.
Sources with the Highways Department said the other parties removed their flag posts upon request.
On Medavakkam Main Road, a four-lane conversion and median construction has been done only for six kilometres. Work could not be started on the remaining 3-km stretch, due to delay in the land acquisition.
