Land acquisition delays expansion work on Chennai-Tirupati Highway

The pending project is cited as the major reason for the heavy traffic in this main stretch.

According to officials, the project was undertaken in 2013 and the troubles started brewing when the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and State Highways Authority of India (SHAI) faced problems with the acquisition of private land from the residents here.

Sources said that works in the two stretches - Padi to Tiruninravur - covering 22 kilometers and Tiruninravur to Thirupachur covering 12 kilometers – are yet to begin.

Though NHAI completed works in the major stretches, it handed over the Padi to Tiruninravur stretch to the SHAI after it faced a stiff opposition from the vendors and locals.

Subsequently, the state agency also made no headway on the project. “Since the vehicular population has increased, the works must be expedited to find a permanent solution,” said K Vijaykumar, a motorist.

This vital stretch is predominantly used by the heavy vehicles to ferry goods. Thereby, creating inconvenience to the buses and motorists.

Regarding this project, the authorities of NHAI are coordinating with their state counterparts to expedite the works on the Padi-Tiruninravur stretch.

A senior SHAI official said, “Currently, various highway projects are in a limbo mainly due to the problems encountered during land acquisition. The state agency has already served notices to the private individuals informing about the eviction. We will complete the land acquisition process in another couple of months. We are planning to undertake the work early next year.”