The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Comprehensive transport infrastructure plan for Chennai ready

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Saturday, Apr 12, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Comprehensive transport infrastructure plan for Chennai ready

Special Correspondent

It prioritises road development, traffic management schemes under sectors

Special focus on present traffic scenario, demands of people
Regional plans for three other districts will be prepared this year

CHENNAI: A comprehensive traffic and transportation infrastructure plan for Chennai Metropolitan Planning Area and surrounding regions, prioritising road development and traffic management schemes under various sectors, has been prepared, according to Urban Development Minister Parithi Illamvazhuthi.

This would be further studied. When implemented, they would mitigate the sufferings of the travelling public, the Minister said, initiating the debate on the demands for grants for his department in the Assembly.

Tracing the steps taken by the Government for the preparation of a comprehensive mobility plan for Chennai, he said a State-level committee, headed by the Chief Secretary and comprising officers of various line departments and experts, was constituted in April 2007 for examining issues concerning traffic improvement in Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai cities. Subsequently, four sub-committees were formed for Chennai. The sub-committees and the State-level panel had several sittings and detailed deliberations on the issues, with special reference to the present traffic scenario and the demands of the people, especially in view of the fast-growing information technology sector and other industries.

Mobility plans had also been prepared for Coimbatore and Madurai, he added.

Regional plans for Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Coimbatore districts would be prepared this year. They would deal with the identification of resource base, distribution of population and employment, major communication network, main policies for agricultural and industrial development, conservation and recreation, green belts and general development policy for towns and villages. Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur had been chosen considering their proximity to the Chennai Metropolitan Area and Coimbatore in view of its huge potential for industrial development.

Last year, the Master Plans/New Town Development Plans for Nellikuppam, Gummidipoondi, Thiruchengode, Kagidhapuram, Kulithurai and Padmanabhapuram were prepared.

The State government, through its order of March 26, 2008, approved the proposal of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority for executing air space development works this year at the three Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) stations of Taramani, Perungudi and Velachery. The project in the six stations between Mandaveli and Thiruvanmiyur, which needed Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance, would be taken up later.

MRTS third phase

In January, the Government accorded its administrative sanction for the third phase of the Mass Rapid Transport System from Velachery to St. Thomas Mount, over a distance of 5 km. The Union Government had agreed to implement the Rs.496-crore project by adopting the cost-sharing formula of 66.67:33.33 ratio of the State Government and Union Government respectively. This would be implemented in three years.

The second phase of the MRTS from Thirumayilai to Velachery had been completed at a cost of Rs.733.39 crore and the State Government had given Rs.481.38 crore as its share.

Parking facility

A double-level basement parking for two wheelers on the vacant space of the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus, Koyambedu, would be completed in 18 months. It would have a total floor area of 65,000 sq.ft, with a parking capacity of 3,000 two wheelers. The foundation stone for the project was laid in January. A park with a pathway for walkers had also been proposed, the Minister added.

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