NHAI's Rs 5.88 bn expressway project paused

30 May 2024 CW Team

Criticism of the project escalated when NHAI began depositing debris inside the Cooum river to facilitate access for its rig machines. It was found through studies that previously unaffected neighbourhoods in the city could also face flooding during the monsoon if the flow of the Cooum river is obstructed in this manner.

Officials from WRD, led by its chief engineer, met with NHAI officials and requested a written commitment from NHAI to restore the river post-construction, cooperate in flood response efforts, address damages, and ensure public safety. According to WRD chief engineer S Ashokan, "The project has been halted for now. Only after NHAI provides a written commitment in a 'bond' can the project proceed. They have agreed to provide the commitment within two days."

Ashokan insisted that NHAI should cover the entire cost of implementing flood response recommendations from Anna University?s Centre for Water Resources and restore the river to its original width to compensate for the space occupied by the pillars. "They have agreed to all the conditions," he added.

Additionally, WRD filed police complaints against NHAI in multiple stations within the 20.9 km corridor jurisdiction. A WRD official, who preferred to remain anonymous, stated, "We did not authorize them to use the river, but they initiated the project independently. We filed complaints to halt the work. However, they continued despite our efforts. Now, the work has come to a complete halt after the high-level meeting."

The expressway project, which has already experienced a decade-long delay, is currently under review by the National Green Tribunal, with the next hearing scheduled for July 26.

The project entails digging 35 metres deep for the pile foundation within the river. Approximately 15.5 km of the 20.9 km double-decker corridor traverses the river.

The National Highways Authority of India?s Port-Maduravoyal expressway corridor, with a budget of Rs 58.85 billion, encountered difficulties when the state Water Resources Department instructed the central agency to halt the ongoing work on the Cooum river. Additionally, criminal complaints were filed at least in four police stations in the city. It was mentioned that there is also a pending case before the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Criticism of the project escalated when NHAI began depositing debris inside the Cooum river to facilitate access for its rig machines. It was found through studies that previously unaffected neighbourhoods in the city could also face flooding during the monsoon if the flow of the Cooum river is obstructed in this manner. Officials from WRD, led by its chief engineer, met with NHAI officials and requested a written commitment from NHAI to restore the river post-construction, cooperate in flood response efforts, address damages, and ensure public safety. According to WRD chief engineer S Ashokan, The project has been halted for now. Only after NHAI provides a written commitment in a 'bond' can the project proceed. They have agreed to provide the commitment within two days. Ashokan insisted that NHAI should cover the entire cost of implementing flood response recommendations from Anna University?s Centre for Water Resources and restore the river to its original width to compensate for the space occupied by the pillars. They have agreed to all the conditions, he added. Additionally, WRD filed police complaints against NHAI in multiple stations within the 20.9 km corridor jurisdiction. A WRD official, who preferred to remain anonymous, stated, We did not authorize them to use the river, but they initiated the project independently. We filed complaints to halt the work. However, they continued despite our efforts. Now, the work has come to a complete halt after the high-level meeting. The expressway project, which has already experienced a decade-long delay, is currently under review by the National Green Tribunal, with the next hearing scheduled for July 26. The project entails digging 35 metres deep for the pile foundation within the river. Approximately 15.5 km of the 20.9 km double-decker corridor traverses the river.

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