CHENNAI: Even as the Chennai Port-Maduravoyal elevated corridor is showing signs of revival after gathering dust on the shelf for six years, the project is facing a fresh challenge in acquiring 1.47 hectares of private land.
The project — to build an 18.476 km elevated highway that would ease the severe congestion at the port and the roads leading to it — was frozen in 2011 after the State government raised objections to the alignment. In the recent past, the State and centre have been trying to resolve disputes, leading to fresh impetus.
However, according to sources, the biggest immediate challenge is the acquisition of private land which can only be passed once the State government releases funds. The compensation has to be paid as per the new land acquisition act, which could cost the exchequer dearly.
Sources in the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) said that land acquisition cost has to be borne by the government and Chennai Port.
Also, sources added, Tamil Nadu has not even signed the State Support Agreement before the commencement of construction. As per the concession agreement signed between the NHAI and concessionaire, a State Support Agreement must be signed before construction.
NHAI sources said the authority has invited bids for the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and is awaiting the State government’s approval for the alignment, which is going through the recommendations of a committee constituted by the NHAI and government. The DPR is expected to be submitted in the next three to four months after which the work would begin.
Official sources told Express that the work will start only after the 1.47 hectares of private land is acquired, and 458 commercial establishments and 7,400 slums are evicted. There is also an issue pertaining to fencing and land acquisition with regard to land belonging to the army and navy from Periyar Bridge to Port Entry for which clearance from the Defence Ministry is required.
Sources in Chennai Port, as well as State government, could not be contacted in this regard.