The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Roadwork yet to be put in fast track mode

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 09, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Roadwork yet to be put in fast track mode

By T.S. Shankar

CHENNAI, FEB. 8. Though Tamil Nadu boasts of attracting major investments by information technology companies, work on 20-km road between Madhya Kailash and Siruseri on Old Mahabalipuram Road has still not been put in the "fast track mode."

Enquiries withofficials reveal that the "concessional agreement" for the Rs.100-crore project has not yet been signed by the Chief Minister even though the estimates and drawings were submitted for executing the project.

The Tamil Nadu Road Development Company (TNRDC), which is entrusted with the task of the project, is working round the clock removing semi-permanent and permanent unauthorised constructions or fixtures to pave the way for a six-lane carriageway.

"The TNRDC has taken extra effort to see that the Tamil Nadu Government's IT corridor road, a pet project, does not suffer on any account. We will go all out to make it a model IT corridor road for other States," the sources said.

Progress beyond Taramani

The TNRDC has made progress beyond Taramani, especially the stretch between Sholinganallur and Karapakkam, widening the road. But there is less visible development between Madhya Kailash and Taramani,where there is a cluster of research and educational institutions. "Without handing over the required land, free of encroachments and other impediments, how can the road development work be awarded," a source asked, adding that a high power task force headed by the Development Commissioner was constituted to monitor the implementation of the project.While the city traffic police have effected certain changes for regulating traffic near the Madhya Kailash junction, the number of vehicles commuting on this road, especially during peak hours, has increased sharply. The problem is further compounded by haphazard parking beyond the Tiruvanmiyur MRTS station.

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