A new link road between East Coast Road (ECR) and Rajiv Gandhi Salai or Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), spanning only 1.4 km, will be a reality shortly, with the State government sanctioning funds .
The existing link roads are in Akkarai and Tiruvanmiyur, nearly 12 km apart. This link road will be nearly midway between the old link roads. As per the alignment, the new link road will begin at Neelankarai on ECR and join the radial road at the Thoraipakkam junction.
The State government has sanctioned Rs. 204 crore for the project.
ADVERTISEMENT
According to studies, the road, when completed, would take, at least, 30 per cent of traffic from the Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam radial road and help ease traffic congestion at the Sholinganallur junction. Around 80,000 vehicles use the radial road and another one lakh use the OMR every day.
A 9-span, 52-mt-long bridge across the Buckingham Canal would be part of the new link road, explained a source.
ADVERTISEMENT
A total of Rs. 172.4 crore has been tentatively fixed for land acquisition. A total of 21,929 square metres of land would be acquired at Neelankarai and 22,386 square metres at Okkiam Thoraipakkam. The building of a government primary school would also be demolished to make way for the road.
Sources in the Highways Department said that Rs. 31.8 crore would go towards the construction of the four-lane road that would have service lanes and footpaths.
However, residents of CLRI Nagar in Neelankarai through which the proposed road runs are objecting to the proposal and have urged the State government to choose a different route. Buildings along the Second Main Road are likely to be completely demolished and many others, partly.
“Our area was formed in 1997-1998 and has over 300 houses. Most owners are senior citizens and some are yet to repay their housing loans,” said Sreejith, a resident.