Incomplete pillars with rusted rods protruding from them along Cooum river stand testimony to an ambitious project, which on completion would have been the longest elevated expressway in the country.
The Chennai Port-Maduravoyal elevated corridor project that was suspended in 2012 due to a row between Water Resources Department (WRD) and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) would have given a boost to connectivity from the harbour to Maduravoyal.
With Ennore Expressway continuing to be highly congested and cargo movement allowed only during the night, the demand to resume the elevated project is gathering strength. Trucks wait for as long as three days to enter the port due to congestion, Federation of Indian Export Organisations’ (FIEO) members complain.
Over 5,000 companies, including about 2,000 from the city, export cargo including automobile components, leather products, apparel, chemical and pharmaceutical products. The cargo gets shipped to countries in Europe, U.S. and Southeast Asia. Chennai also gets auto components, electronics and food products from various countries.
However, problems in the port have had an impact on the cost of export products. “We are either forced to pay detention charges to logistics providers or divert cargo to other ports due to the delay in reaching Chennai port,” said A. Sakthivel, regional chairman of FIEO.
With importers insisting on timely delivery, the delay in reaching the port is posing a threat to exports and companies ship their cargo to Krishnapatnam port, Andhra Pradesh, which is another three-hour drive. “But, it works out cheaper than waiting for three days at Chennai port,” exporters said.
FIEO has urged Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to resume work on the elevated corridor project. Meanwhile, WRD has recommended appointment of two experts for a panel, whose creation was suggested by the Supreme Court, but NHAI is yet to suggest its experts.
The WRD had suspended the project citing violations of alignment near Spurtank Road and pillars constructed inside Cooum river. “We are waiting for the next course of action by the Supreme Court,” an official said. Sources in NHAI said they were ready to effect any change suggested by WRD.
“Except the alignment, we are ready to change anything. We can even widen the river if need be. Additional costs will not be an issue,” the official said.
