CHENNAI: The state wing of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI-TN) had sought Rs 370 crore from the Centre to upgrade Chennai-Tada highway, which has been on the backburner for long.
The 43.4 kilometre-stretch, part of NH-5 to Kolkata, would be widened from four-lane to six-lane once the funds are sanctioned.
The project began in 2009 at an initial cost of '418 crore, including one major bridge, nine minor bridges, six flyovers, one overpass, and 20 underpasses, all of which were supposed to be completed by 2011. However, Larsen and Toubro Ltd (L&T), executive agency of the project, gave a termination notice in 2015 following inordinate delay in land acquisition.
“The project was terminated after the toll fee could not pool in funds required for widening the stretch.
However, in September second week, we wrote to the Centre asking for an additional Rs 370 crore. Mr Nitin Gadkari, Union minister for road transport and highways, gave his approval when he visited Chennai recently,” a senior official of NHAI-TN, said.
Also, according to highway records, vehicle density rose from 40,000 to 55,000 per day, thereby raising the need for imperative completion of the project.
Moreover, incomplete construction of the bridge has left it in bad shape.
“With large number of godowns and businesses located in the vicinity including Red Hills, Madhavaram, Perambur and Ambattur, heavy vehicles choke the road leaving no space for motorists. Karanodai and Alinjikuppam junctions are the worse affected as the four-lane narrows into a single lane,” said K. Ramakrishnan, a motorist.
Work was completed for nearly 50 per cent of the distance before it was terminated in 2015.
Land acquisition issues between Madhavaram and Nallur added to the woes and motorists rue that the Ponneri junction often turns slushy after the rains. Accidents are on a rise.
