The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is thinking of shelving the 19-km Chennai Port-Maduravoyal Elevated Corridor project, if the present stalemate created by the Tamil Nadu government continues, the Centre submitted before the Madras High Court on Monday.
A writ petition has been filed by the NHAI seeking the quashing of records of the State PWD of January 28 this year, seeking revised Coastal Regulation Zone clearance for the project. The NHAI said it was aggrieved by the stumbling blocks put by the State government for the execution of the project involving Rs. 1,800 crore.
When the matter came up before the First Bench consisting of Acting Chief Justice R.K. Agrawal and Justice M. Sathyanarayanan, Additional Solicitor-General of India P. Wilson said when implemented, the project would benefit the entire city.
The State government was putting unnecessary hurdles.
He said even though the alignment for the project had been cleared by the State government, the PWD had said fresh clearance should be obtained from it and the Ministry of Environment and Forests. Because of the impugned order, work on the project could not be continued.
It would be possible to go ahead with the project only if the State government’s order was stayed.
At Maduravoyal here, pillars had been erected for nearly two kilometres in the middle of the road.
As work had not been completed, the pillars were blocking the road at present.
Mr. Wilson said the State government had not filed its counter affidavit yet. The Bench posted the matter for August 19.
