MLA declares underpass ‘open’

S. Gunasekaran, MLA, on Tuesday declared open an underpass, even as officials claimed that the works were yet to be completed.

He removed construction material wastes lying along the underpass near T.M.F. Hospital before declaring it ‘open’ for traffic.

The Highways Department officials distanced themselves away from the ‘event’ and told

The Hindu that the works were not yet completed.

The stretch is not fit for ‘safe traffic’ now as lights and other facilities are yet to be provided along the 403m underpass, they said.

The work on a service bridge above the underpass is also not completed. The pump to suck out rain water has not been fitted yet, they added.

According to them, it would take another 25 days to complete the entire works.

The police said that they did not receive any intimation from the Highways Department on completion of the works, and until then the stretch was unsafe for traffic.

Mr. Gunasekaran clarified that he took the initiative to open the stretch only because of the complaints from people regarding the inordinate delay in commissioning the project.

“I am still of the opinion that this underpass project started during the DMK regime is ill-conceived. Original plan was to construct a bridge. The opening of the stretch for traffic by me cannot be considered as anything against government objectives,” he said.