Regular review meetings track work on the Chennai Port Armed Port Elevated Corridor Project: Minister

According to Minister Ev Velu, one of the two levels of the corridor will have six exits and seven entry points, while the other will directly link the Chennai port to Maduravoyal. |Picture source: B. Vealnkanni Raj

The Minister of Public Works, Expressway and Secondary Port Ev Velu told the Tamil Nadu Parliament on Wednesday that review meetings were held regularly to track progress on the Chennai Port-Duvar Port Elevated Corridor Project and took measures to speed up the work.

He is responding to Secretary General Konganadu Makkal Desiya Katchi and Tiruchengode Mla Eswaran, who focuses on the speed acceleration project.

Mr Eswaran noted that the project conceptualized DMK MP TR Baalu ​​when he served as Minister of the Highway Union 16 years ago. He said the project is crucial to the economic development of Tamil Nadu and urged the state government to speed up its action.

Legislators further requested that the corridor had been built, named by former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.

In response, Mr Velu said the project was implemented by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) under the Bharatmala Pariyojana plan and involved the construction of new two-story and four-lane elevated corridors under the engineering procurement construction mode. The contract agreement was signed on September 11, 2023, and a work order was issued on November 23, 2023.

Under the contract agreement, the work is scheduled to be completed in February 2027. However, due to various issues raised by the Ministry of Water Resources, the work of the road department will only be carried out on May 30, 2024. In addition, due to the monsoon caused by the monsoon from mid-December 2024 to 2024, it cannot be based on the National Green Green Order, as the order is increased by the National Green Green Order. As a result, the project was postponed, he said, adding that NHAI said there will be further delays.

According to NHAI, the project consists of four packaging. A total of 5,296 piles were installed – 812 of which were completed. In addition, 882 pile caps have been installed and 41 have been installed. At two casting codes, components of superstructure were prepared separately. The minister added that a total of 9,415 units were needed.

He further said that one of the two levels of the corridor would have six exits and seven entry points, while the other would directly link the Chennai port to Maduravoyal.