The crane that had been lending support to the Anna Arch was removed on Monday. The arch is now being supported with the help of stacked steel cribs. These will lend strength to the structure as it will be assessed for damage and weakness over the next few days.
Work on removing the arch was scheduled to begin on September 3, for which the crane was employed, but the structure could not be moved without additional help. Work remained at a standstill till the Chief Minister announced on September 5 that the arch would stay as it was a landmark monument inaugurated by the former chief minister MGR in 1986. Instead, the position of the flyover would be shifted. The restoration process started on September 26. The CM also visited the site to inspect it.
Sources at the Highway Department said that initially the iron rods that were damaged during the demolition operations would be replaced. These would also be reinforced using concrete. Other structural damages on the surface would also be remedied.
Traffic at the junction is expected to ease once the restoration work is completed. The CM had announced that the work would be completed within four months.
