A review meeting will be held soon after the conclusion of the current monsoon session of Parliament to ensure that the Rs.600-crore Ennore Manali Road Improvement Project (EMRIP) is implemented, said Shipping Minister G.K. Vasan here on Friday.
Talking to reporters, he said: “As the scheme is going to significantly help the State, it will be implemented. The Chennai port has already paid Rs.38 crore and the Shipping Ministry, ordered payment of Rs.10 crore. The Shipping Ministry has also given guarantee to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for the speedy implementation of the project.”
Last week, the NHAI cancelled the bidding process for the EMRIP stating that Chennai port had failed to bring in its contribution.
“From the Chennai port side things are clear. We do not want this project to be delayed further and we are ready to provide finance. As three to four agencies are involved, it is taking time. We will hold a review meeting and see that the time factor is adhered to.
“I have already written to the Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Kamal Nath and also spoken to issue necessary directions with regard to speedy implementation of this project,” Mr. Vasan told The Hindu .
He also said that his Ministry was interested in ensuring that all infrastructural projects in Chennai were taken up for implementation. They included the mega container terminal of the Chennai Port Trust, Sriperumbudur dry port and Port-Maduravoyal elevated corridor.
North port access road
Mr. Vasan also said the North Port access road, with direct four-lane connectivity from the Ennore port to Thatchur on NH5 will be implemented on BOT basis. The project cost was Rs.454.32 crore, of which the Ennore port's contribution was Rs.78.08 crore.
