The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : NHAI waits for water in Porur Tank to recede

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 14, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

NHAI waits for water in Porur Tank to recede

J. Malarvizhi

A 462 metre-long bridge, parallel to the existing one, is part of the project A 462 metre-long bridge, parallel to the existing one, is part of project

CHENNAI : Work on one of the components of the National Highways Chennai Bypass project can begin only after the water in the Porur tank recedes.

A 462 metre-long bridge, running parallel to the existing one to take two lanes of traffic in one direction, is planned as part of the project. The existing bridge will then be used for two lanes in the opposite direction, fulfilling plans to make the Bypass four-laned, said officials at the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

Work on the abutments on either end has only recently started.

A similar bridge of 203-metre length is planned across the Adyar. Work on the piers has been completed and the laying of slabs will come next.

After four-laning, the Bypass will terminate at Madhavaram, instead of Maduravoyal. It is expected to handle upwards of 7,000 commercial vehicles a day.

Traffic congestion

The Rs. 405 crore-project seeks to connect the national highways that radiate from Chennai and reduce congestion in the sectors between Koyambedu and Maduravoyal and Koyambedu and Red Hills, NHAI officials said.

The elevated corridor in Ambattur, at an estimated cost of Rs. 100 crore, is among the most expensive components in the project.

Officials are confident that the proposed bridge will not affect the lakebed of the Porur Tank, an important water source for Chennai. Residents of the area will not have access to the bridge, as entry into and exit from the Bypass is possible only at Tambaram, Maduravoyal, Ambattur Industrial Estate and Madhavaram.

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