AT SNAIL'S PACE: Motorists are having a tough time owing to slow progress in the work on the Poonamalle overbridge. — Photo: K. Pichumani

CHENNAI: The deadline for completing the work on widening the Maduravoyal-Kancheepuram stretch of the Chennai-Bangalore National Highway has again been revised. Now, it is December 2006. The original deadline was December 2003. About a year ago, Union Minister for Highways T.R. Baalu said the work would be completed by December 2005.

Several factors, including litigation and disputes over the award of compensation, have delayed the work, says a senior official of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Though 90 per cent of the work has been completed, a section of the road between Maduravoyal and Poonamallee is posing a major challenge to the NHAI. Land for a 100-metre stretch near Poonamallee is yet to be acquired. Besides, non-completion of laying of waterlines (due to litigation) from the Chembarampakkam treatment plant has contributed to the delay.

The official says the problem has been compounded by the refusal of a section of "old owners" to vacate their premises, and some others not to accept the compensation awarded by Revenue authorities. The official is hopeful of overcoming the hurdles soon. Chennai Metrowater, which is laying the waterlines, has assured the NHAI that it will complete the work by October.

Only after Metrowater completes the work can the NHAI shift the electric poles and lay the service road. The official says the NHAI plans to complete the work in three months.

One more issue bothering the NHAI is the shifting of the Indira Gandhi statue near Sriperumpudur. Rajiv Gandhi had garlanded the statue minutes before his assassination in May 1991 and Congress workers are keen that it should be given due importance.

Road-users want the NHAI to stick to the revised schedule at least this time, as the incomplete road holds up traffic at some points, especially around Chembarampakkam and Poonamallee, during peak hours.

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