The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Demolition of buildings at Koyambedu junction begins

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 03, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Demolition of buildings at Koyambedu junction begins

Staff Reporter

To constructe grade separator

THE OLD MAKES WAY FOR THE NEW: An earthmover tears down buildings at the Koyambedu junction on Wednesday. — Photo: K. Pichumani

CHENNAI : Earth-movers have started razing buildings at the Koyambedu junction to make way for the construction of a grade separator by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

Demolition of the wedding hall owned by V. Premalatha, wife of Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam founder Vijayakant, is expected to start on May 15.

The State Revenue Department had allocated compensation awards for the owners of the buildings. But Ms. Premalatha went to court challenging the acquisition of the property. However, the Madras High Court directed that the Andal Azhagar Kalyana Mandapam be handed over for demolition. The Supreme Court too stood by the order.

The grade separator at the Koyambedu junction was proposed to ease traffic congestion on the national highway. Vehicle traffic has increased after the construction of the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus at Koyambedu.

About 150 buildings need to be demolished for the road-widening work and the grade separator project. Police have been deputed on the demolition sites.

The NHAI has planned three multi-level grade separator (elevated structures) projects and a flyover project. The grade separators are planned at Kathipara, Koyambedu and Padi junctions and the flyover near the Meenambakkam airport.

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