Tamil Nadu - Chennai

What they say How infrastructure projects hit roadblocks

City Bureau

Corporation has several promises to keep: Plans are aplenty for bridges, but implementation proves tough

S. K. Mahendran

R. Govindarajan

Subhash Chandra

Chennai : It's boom time for flyovers in the city. Soil testing and foundation work are in progress for four mini-flyovers; tenders have been floated for six railway bridges; the Perambur flyover is in the public eye again; and another four flyovers have been proposed.

In an effort to ease traffic congestion, the Chennai Corporation has revived old proposals and chalked out grand plans for new flyovers. The spur in activity stems from the DMK-led Government's keenness for the projects coupled with the sanction of Central grants from the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

However, experience has shown that project implementation is a far cry from planning. A telling example of this is the progress made on the six rail bridges proposed several years ago. All the projects have been stalled for various reasons. Only two months ago, fresh tenders were floated with June 8 being the last date for the submission of bids.

Brick by brick

Sometimes, technical and financial hurdles have slowed down the progress of many a project. A case in point is the vehicular subway proposed under the Maniakara Choultry railway level-crossing near Stanley Medical College in Washermenpet.

In 1997-98, the cost of the project was estimated at Rs. 8.3 crore. After being put on the backburner for about eight years, the project cost was revised to Rs. 11.9 crore. A private firm won the bids for Rs. 9.34 crore but the Corporation cancelled the tender after a financial and technical review committee declared the amount too high.

Similar stories lie behind the Villivakkam vehicular subway and the Rangarajapuram rail overbridge. Estimates drawn up in 2004 were re-done in 2006-07 to call for fresh bids. (See table for cost estimates of various projects).

Replacing the Alandur causeway over the Adyar river with a higher bridge is another case of project delay. Estimates were drawn up as early as 1999. The private firm that bagged the tender in 2006 quoted Rs. 7.71 crore. However, the Corporation turned it down as the amount was 37 per cent higher than the official estimate.

In the case of the Perambur flyover, a technical design flaw was discovered after the building company started work. One of the pillars began to sink, as the soil was too soft to support the structure. Work was revived in 2006, but the soft soil still poses a problem.

Anna University has been paid Rs. 81 lakh to produce a new design, but the project cost is expected to escalate.

The JNNURM's agreement to grant 35 per cent of the cost for the six railway bridges, the Perambur flyover and the Alandur bridge and to loan another 15 per cent without interest has brought some financial relief to the Corporation. The civic agency presented a proposal for a total of Rs. 112 crore but the JNNURM's technical committee pegged the works at Rs. 82.76 crore.

"About Rs. 7 crore (one-fourth of 35 per cent of Rs. 82.76 crore) has been sanctioned by the Centre already. Work will begin soon," Mayor M. Subramanian said.

Mini flyovers

Corporation officials claim work on the four mini-flyovers in south Chennai is proceeding as planned and will be completed on schedule. However, diversion of phone, electricity, water and sewer lines is yet to be completed. Anna University, design consultant, has not yet given approval on the plans for the proposed flyovers.

A sum close to Rs. 5 crore has been allotted for the transfer of Metrowater, Chennai Telephones and Electricity Board lines. The construction of the four mini-flyovers was awarded to Gammon India in March this year.

Metrowater has almost completed work at the North Usman Road junction, started work on Chamiers Road and will begin work at the other two sites shortly. The Tamil Nadu Electricity Board has been paid the required amount, while telecom companies, including BSNL, Tata and Reliance, would have to make their own arrangements, Corporation officials said.

Officials said a recent rough count put the number of vehicles crossing the Panagal Park junction between 8 a.m. and noon at above 35,000. Mahalingapuram junction saw more than 20,000 vehicles in the same timing. Load testing on foundation piles has been completed at the Mahalingapuram junction at 600 tonnes and is due to be done shortly on South Usman Road. Local Administration Minister M.K. Stalin has recently announced four more flyovers at busy junctions: Mint Street; Basin Bridge road-Cochrane Basin Road; Lattice Bridge Road -Thiruvanmiyur and Madhya Kailash Temple - Information Technology Corridor in Adyar.

These bridges are expected in two years.

(With inputs from

Kannal Achuthan and

J. Malarvizhi)

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