Setting stage for the much awaited road expansion drive, the State Highways department began demolition of encroachment on Chennai-Tirupati Road between Korattur and Thirunindravur, under police protection on Thursday.
The demolition drive, which started from Korattur, to retrieve the department’s land would continue for 20 days, police said.
“Encroachments are being removed to retrieve land for making the present road a four-lane one. The drive is part of a long pending project aimed at reducing congestion and the number of accidents,” police said.
Meanwhile, mild tension prevailed after a few traders assembled in the locality objecting to the demolition drive. However, the traders dispersed peacefully after the highway officials explained that the demolition was carried out only after serving notice. The officials assured the traders that encroachments on department land alone were being demolished and no land acquisition as planned before was made for road widening.
Though road widening project has been a long pending one, a proposal made by Union Transport Ministry was dropped after opposition from the locals.