: A proposal to provide a 10-km-long link road from Ambattur to Outer Ring Road (ORR) has drawn flak from residents.
According to residents, many houses on approved plots in localities such as Seliamman Nagar and Athipet would be affected by the proposed 61-metre-wide right of way for the road. The right of way also includes space for service lanes, pedestrian footpaths and median.
S.Paulraj, president of Seliamman Nagar Residents' Welfare Association, said nearly- 200 houses would have to be demolished if the present alignment is implemented.
ADVERTISEMENT
The proposed East-West arterial road would commence near Wavin junction on the Chennai Bypass Road at the Ambattur Industrial Estate. The road has been planned under the Second Master Plan and is expected to pass through Athipet, Koladi, Ayanambakkam and Paruthipattu before it joins the ORR at Karunakaracheri.
The residents have submitted petitions at the Tiruvallur Collectorate and officials concerned at Highways Department. “We have asked for details regarding the alignment of the road and want the project to be implemented without affecting the residential colonies,” Mr.Paulraj said.
Uma Kannan, Ward 32 councillor of Ambattur Municipality, said that officials from the Highways department had taken measurements of lands required in Koladi near Ambattur for the project about a month ago. The alignment mostly passed through vacant lands in the neighbourhood. The new link road would help connect the Ambattur industrial estate to the ORR.
ADVERTISEMENT
However, the department must consider realigning the road to prevent loss to the residents, she said. Some residents also said that the affected persons must be given compensation depending on the market value of their lands.
R.Selvaraj, president of the Ambattur Industrial Estate Manufacturers' Association said the project would help in the development of the estate and connect the other parts of the city to the locality.
Officials of the Highways Department said the detailed project report was being prepared and is expected to be completed by December. After the preparation of project report, land acquisition would commence.