Chennai: Port-Maduravoyal corridor project halts

31 May 2024 CW Team

The Chennai port to Maduravoyal elevated expressway project, which had its inception in 2009, commenced construction in January of this year. However, recent developments indicate that the construction work has once again come to a standstill.

The Rs 58.85-billion port-expressway corridor project of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is facing difficulties following directions from the Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department (TN WRD) to cease the ongoing work on the Cooum river. It has also come to light that complaints have been lodged with the National Green Tribunal (NGT), adding to the decade-long series of delays the project has already encountered. The next hearing is scheduled for July 26. Additionally, complaints have been filed with at least four police stations in the city, and legal proceedings are underway at the NGT.

The project drew criticism when NHAI initiated the dumping of debris into the Cooum River to facilitate access for its equipment. Studies suggest that such obstruction to the flow of the Cooum could result in flooding in previously unaffected areas of Chennai during the monsoon season.

On May 28, officials from the WRD, led by their chief engineer, held discussions with NHAI officials, urging the highway authority to formally commit to restoring the river post-construction, collaborating on flood management, addressing any damages incurred, and ensuring public safety.

NHAI is required to cover the entire expense of implementing flood management measures recommended by Anna University's Centre for Water Resources, in addition to restoring the river to its original width to compensate for the area occupied by the pillars.

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