Date:18/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/18/stories/2008111859450300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Telegrams sent to Chief Minister against road widening project

Staff Reporter

“A width of 80 feet will be sufficient for the four-laning project”

CHENNAI: Traders and building owners along the stretch of Chennai-Tiruvallur High Road between Padi and Thiruninravur have despatched hundreds of telegrams to Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi raising objections to the road widening project.

A. Mohan, president of the Federation of Traders, Building Owners and Residents between Padi and Thiruninravur, said the body was not against the development of NH 205, which is an important corridor linking Padi to Tirupati. However, the project, being implemented by the National Highways Authority of India, to widen the road to a width of 150 feet would affect about one lakh people, including traders and residents.

“A width of 80 feet would be sufficient for the four-laning project,” Mr. Mohan said. The move to make it a toll road would affect people living in the residential areas along the road from Padi, Ambattur to Pattabiram, Sekkadu and Thiruninravur, he said. “We intend to carry forward the protest as it concerns the livelihood of many traders and would affect residents and visitors to the hospitals along the CTH Road,” Mr.Mohan said.

About 25,000 telegrams have been despatched over the past four days by the Federation members.