In an effort to help accumulation of sand along the Ennore Expressway, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has started work on construction of the first of three groynes at a total cost of Rs.8 crore.
The three structures of 150-m length each would require 1.5 lakh tonnes of rocks of various sizes, including those weighing four tonnes. According to sources, the work is expected to be completed before the onset of north-east monsoon.
“We have started work on the northern side. Once this is completed, work on the next groynes on the south would be taken up,” an official of the NHAI said.
“These structures were planned for protecting human habitations in the area near the Pattinathar Samadhi,” the official said. The structures would also help to reduce instant wave energy, particularly during monsoon and arrest sea erosion.
Repair work on the existing groynes would also begin soon. These structures were damaged in last year's cyclone. One lakh tonnes of rocks would be required for the work. The stones are being brought from Kancheepuram district.
There has been no damage to the sea wall on the 6-km stretch of the Ennore Expressway coming under the purview of the NHAI.
Meanwhile, work on the Rs.600-crore Ennore Manali Road Improvement Project is progressing at snail's pace due to various factors, including non-availability of sand and blue metal, delay in shifting of project-affected families and utilities.
“Land acquisition is yet to be completed for the project. Around 250 families are to be shifted from Cherian Nagar and Nalla Thanneer Odai Kuppam. Only after that can work be taken up. Chennai Metrowater has to shift water and sewer mains for about 3- km length,” the official said.
V.Vennila, a resident of Theradi in Tiruvottiyur, said that though Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had recently said the work would be expedited, it was not progressing at the desired speed. “When she came to the Toshiba factory, the road was laid up to Manali New Town bringing relief to residents. Only if EMRIP work is completed, will residents of Tiruvottiyur have some relief from the heavy container traffic. Every evening there is a long line of containers on the Ennore Expressway, which runs parallel to Tiruvottiyur High Road,” she said.
Of the total 30-km covering – Ennore Expressway, Tiruvottiyur- Ponneri-Panchetti Road – Manali Oil Refinery Road, and northern portion of Inner Ring Road – four-laning has been completed only on 8.1 km stretch and that too excepting the top most layer. On about 6 km road, sub-grade and sub-base work are being carried out on TPP Road and Ennore Expressway.
