Traffic volume, particularly container traffic to Chennai Port has increased many fold over the last two decades.CHENNAI: To reduce traffic congestion in north Chennai caused by movement of containers to port, the state government on Tuesday urged the Centre to build a 7.6kmlong sea bridge connecting Gate No.1 (Zero Gate) of Chennai Port and Manali Road-Tiruvottiyur junction.According to sources, the state has asked the NHAI to prepare a feasibility report for the project which may have a suspension superstructure for unimpeded movement of fishing vessels to the Kasimedu harbour.Highways minister E V Velu submitted the request to Union minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on Tuesday.
A source said, “In his meeting with the PM in June, chief minister M K Stalin had urged him to consider the project.The state has also been following it up with the Centre through letters.”
“Traffic volume, particularly container traffic to Chennai Port has increased many fold over the last two decades.Movement and parking has become unmanageable for general road users,” the source said.Under the Ennore Manali Road Improvement Project, Ennore Expressway from Gate No.1 (Zero Gate) of Chennai Port has already been developed by NHAI into a four-lane highway with service roads on both sides.The agency also collects user-fee for the stretch.
The state government believes it is high time a permanent solution is found to address the problem of traffic congestion and accidents, and ensure smooth movement for container trucks.It will not be possible to expand the Tiruvottiyur highway due to population density of the localities abutting the road and its proximity to the sea.
Minister Velu also urged Gadkari to speed up the implementation of a two-tier elevated corridor connecting Chennai Port with Maduravoyal along the Cooum river.The project initiated by the Karunandhi government was stalled by Jayalalithaa’s AIADMK regime citing environmental concerns.It was originally sanctioned by NHAI as a 20m wide six-lane elevated highway for a length of 18.3km at a cost of Rs 1,655 crore.Following Gadkari’s direction in February this year, the NHAI revised the detailed project report for the doubledecker bridge to be built at a cost of Rs 5,965 crore for a length of about 20.56km.
Sources said the Union minister was also asked to remove five toll plazas of NHAI — Chennasamudram (3.3km from Walajah), Nemili (3km from Sriperumbudur), Vanagaram , Surapattu , (within Greater Chennai Corporation) and Paranur (3km from Chengalpet) —located within 10km of the corporation/municipal limits.The state government pointed to increase in population on the city outskirts and the need for people to commute for their daily needs and jobs.Collection of toll leads to public criticism, TN said.
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