Port-Maduravoyal elevated corridor’s work initiated by NHAI
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has acted briskly after the Madras High Court’s verdict on Chennai Port-Maduravoyal elevated expressway. The officials have asked the State Highway Secretary to convene meeting at the earliest by inviting Public Works Department Secretary to take the project forward.
The High Court had asked all the stakeholders to expedite the project and work in tandem; following which the NHAI officials started the spadework for early completion of the Rs.1,815 crore project that includes relief and rehabilitation cost of Rs. 470 crore.
According to sources, two to three months time would be utilized to mobilize men and material as the project had been stalled around two years ago. NHAI would once again request the State government to acquire land and clear the encroachment.
In the words of an official of the agency, “We are in touch with the concessionaire Soma Enterprises, who have demanded close to Rs.1,000 crore as compensation for cost incurred due to idling of project. For the time being, we have declined their claims. We will ask the State government officials to support Soma Enterprises by providing all sorts of support needed for this project.”
The President of Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jawahar Vadivelu, while welcoming the verdict, said this judgment came at an appropriate time as the State government was keen on stepping up infrastructure development. Further, he said, that this project would serve as the model for the overall infrastructure development in the State giving much needed fillip to the existing road sector in the State.
J. Krishnan, chairman of export committee on logistic of Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry said, “With this major bottleneck has been removed. The project has to be executed speedily to address the congestion issue of the Chennai Port. Further, it would also reduce the operating cost of the trade.”
Source: The Hindu
Chennai Port-Maduravoyal, elevated expressway, Jawahar Vadivelu, Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry, National Highways Authority of India, NHAI, Soma Enterprises, Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry
