NHAI, PWD row affects motorists, residents

Sources said that the NHAI officials had identified the area as one in need of a service road. So, they took up work nearly a year ago by clearing the nearby place. However, PWD officials were keen on desilting a canal passing from the Chembarambakkam lake to Porur lake to either maintain water level or discharge water from the bigger lake, if necessary. Thus a tug of war started between the PWD and NHAI department over the desilting the area where a service road was to come up. 

“The officials should take conducive decision as far as this issue is concerned. If the canal is important for PWD, NHAI should consider giving up their work and identify another stretch. It is also better for PWD to take a positive stand,” said A Ponraj, a resident of Kovur. He pointed out how a number of residents had difficulty in crossing the road and two-wheelers had a bumpy ride. 

“It has been almost eight months since the NHAI officials took up wor,k and then PWD officials, for their part, started reclaiming the canal. I don’t know what is going on now,” quipped another motorist. 

According to NHAI officials, they started laying the road between Maduravoyal and Puzhal in 2005 at an estimated Rs 70 crore (approx.) including  the service road. And they completed the work in 2012 and the NH road became operational in 2013. PWD officials started in May 2015, after which the NHAI intervened and approached the court.