The city’s first scheme road, aimed at reducing traffic congestion, is to be developed between Cherry Road and Peramanur Main Road at a cost of Rs. 4 crore.
Before the Salem Municipality was declared as Salem City Municipal Corporation in 1994, the government approved road extension scheme to connect Cherry Road and Peramanur Main Road.
Legal battle
But legal battle in acquiring the required land delayed the implementation of the scheme as works could not be undertaken.
After the court gave nod for acquiring land recently, process is on to settle compensation to the land owners through the district administration.
With the two arterial roads and other roads witnessing frequent traffic congestions and the highways department’s proposal to construct railway over bridge near Mulvadi Gate has made the corporation to implement the scheme.
Engineers said that a detailed project report has been prepared at a cost of Rs. 400 lakh to connect the two roads. The less than one kilometre stretch would be 40-feet and have footpaths, drainage facilities, illuminations using twin light-emitting diode (LED), signboards, medians, small culverts and direction boards so that it looks like a ‘model road’.
They said that this is the first scheme road to be developed in the city. Currently vehicles from Mulvadi Gate proceeding towards Four Road have to reach Collectorate, take the railway over bridge near Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital and reach Four Road.
Once the scheme is implemented, vehicles can take the new road near the petrol bunk on Cherry Road and reach Peramanur Main Road in a few minutes.
Corporation Commissioner K.R. Selvaraj told The Hindu that the proposal would be sent to the Directorate of Town and Country Planning, Chennai, seeking funds. After allocation of funds, tender process would be initiated and work would be completed within six months, he added.
