Pillars of Maduravoyal-Port Expressway pain for motorists

The 19-km expressway, one of the key infrastructure projects sanctioned in 2007, was supposed to have been completed in 2013. Around 170 incomplete pillars stand proof to the fact that there is no movement in the project now. 

Out of the 170 pillars, 125 are located between Koyambedu and Maduravoyal alone causing severe traffic congestions. Sneaking through the gaps between the half-finished structures has become the order of the day for the motorists. 

“If the project is implemented, all trucks approaching port will take the elevated stretch and this ease traffic congestion in the city to a great extent,” says Mohan, president, City-based Consumer Protection Council. 

Upset over the delay and the trouble caused by the incomplete pillars, public in some areas have started laying the damaged roads to register their protest. 

“As the pillars are causing severe congestion, it is almost free for all on the stretch between Koyambedu and Maduravoyal. Vehicles plying on one side all suddenly move to the opposite lane to cross the area quickly,” said A Manikandan, a private firm employee, who regularly uses the 3-km road. 

Sources said that the big and much-needed project was sanctioned in 2007 at an estimated cost of Rs 1,800 crore. Two years later, the NHAI started constructing pillars from Maduravoyal in 2009 and dropped it mid-way as environmental clearance was not obtained. 

When DT Next contacted, a senior supervisor, NHAI, Chennai region, on condition of anonymity, admitted the fact that the project faced several hurdles including lack of cooperation from the government side. 

Further, the State government moved the court in connection citing environmental hazards However, the court dismissed the government case. Subsequently, environmental clearance was given for the project, the supervisor added. When asked about resumption of the work, the official said that it would take some more months.