The Hindu : Chromepet flyover hanging fire

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Dec 22, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu-Chennai

Chromepet flyover hanging fire

By K. Manikandan

CHENNAI DEC. 21 . Chennai's southern suburbs continue to suffer, as a flyover across the MIT gate at Chromepet, which will provide a vital road link, is hanging fire. Scheduled to be completed last month, the Rs. 22-crore project is for eliminating a harrowing waiting time at the railway crossing point for hundreds of office-goers, students and others.

The residents had been demanding for two decades that a flyover be built. A road overbridge would not only address their grievance but also ease the traffic snarls, worsening day by day, on the National Highway. The project commenced in November 2000 and the period then set for execution was two years. It was to be implemented by the Railways and the State Government with financial assistance from the Housing and Urban Development Corporation. But the construction of the flyover fell behind schedule and it came to a standstill three or four months ago.

The foundation work for only 75 out of 103 piers has been completed so far. The usual delay in land acquisition and lack of coordination among various government agencies are among the reasons cited. Though the Highways department asked the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board to relocate cables and transformers as early as January 2000, it did not act on the plea till recently. Similarly, the Chennai Telephones was told in July 2000 to shift its cable ducts. But this work is still pending, according to the Highways department.

On land acquisition, some residents and traders moved the High Court, raising objections. The project, if resumed even now, may well take a year to complete, say the residents. Members of the Federation of Civic and Welfare Associations of the Pallavaram Municipality observed fast near the Chromepet post office on Saturday, demanding the Chief Minister's direct intervention in this matter.

Notwithstanding all problems, revenue officials say the land acquisition process is in full swing and will be completed "soon". The Highways department maintains that funds availability is not a problem. However, infrastructure experts point out that Tamil Nadu can take the cue from the Karnataka Government, which completes all formalities before issuing work orders to contractors.

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