Port road project set to be revived

A senior official of NHAI told DTNext , “We have received a communication from the state government (Highways and Minor Ports Department) to alter our previous blueprint. Mainly, we have been asked to reduce the number of pillars passing through the Cooum, as it would affect the river’s ecology.” “The communication also stated that the blueprint should change the route near War Memorial (near port), as a considerable number of buildings will have to be demolished,” he said adding that it was a positive decision to revive such a big project. The 19-km Elevated FourLane Corridor Project (EFLCP) from Chennai Port to Maduravoyal, that was mainly planned to divert all container traffic away from arterial roads besides speeding up transit time. Further, the half-finished pillars were a major hindrance to motorists.

Another official said that the government also instructed NHAI officials to formulate a committee. “If the new blueprint satisfied the state government, we will receive environmental clearance certificate. However, we have to float a new tender, as we already terminated the contract for the project.” When asked, if the new contract would go to the same agency, the official quipped, “It will be decided after officials, including Union Surface Transport Ministry, State Highways and Port and NHAI, reach a consensus.” 

After clearing several hurdles, the NHAI officials had started the construction work in 2009 from Maduravoyal but had to abandon the project midway as they were not getting clearance from the state government. The elevated expressway was to connect Chennai Port with Maduravoyal interchange. The NHAI officials needed to wait for years to get clearance certificate since 2009 and the contracting agency kept pressurising them to proceed works. This prompted NHAI to terminate the project. DTNext had carried a news item on this stalled project titled ‘6 years on, Rs 1,655 crore city expressway shelved’ on November 28.