Chennai port, Navy agree to exchange land for elevated corridor project.

In a barter arrangement, two Central government arms — Chennai Port Trust (ChPT) and Indian Navy — have agreed to exchange land to ensure that the stalled Maduravoyal to Chennai port elevated corridor sails through.

The project to provide improved connectivity to the Chennai port was stalled in 2012 following objections raised by the Tamil Nadu government on the project alignment along the Cooum waterway in some stretches. It then asked the National Highways Authority of India to realign the corridor. However, despite negotiations there was no agreement on the realignment forcing the NHAI to terminate the contractor in 2014.

As the width and length of the proposed road increased from the earlier proposal, it is understood that the cost will be around Rs. 3,500 crore, said ChPT Chairman P Raveendran.

The Rs. 1,800-crore project also had a hitch with its termination right in the Navy quarters behind Napier Bridge.

A formal agreement has been reached with the Indian Navy wherein the Navy will provide to the port 1.09 lakh sq ft of land in exchange for an equivalent area closer to the port’s boundary near INS Adyar. In-principle approval from the Shipping Ministry has been obtained based on a no-objection certification given by the Indian Navy in Chennai.. The Indian Navy on its part is expected to take an approval from the Defence Ministry, he told BusinessLine . On the project status, Raveendran said the consultants L&T Infra Engineering — Vax Consultants appointed by NHAI had submitted a draft Detailed Project Report on the revised alignment on October 12. The State government has also given its concurrence to the new alignment, he said.

The consultants have recommended that the project’s starting point will be near Gate No 10 of the Chennai port near Napier Bridge and to retain the twin piers (2 x 110 piers) of the earlier constructed elevated portion to avoid infructuous expenditure and to construct single column pier at the remaining locations.

The consultants have also suggested an elevated option as against the earlier at-grade alignment near Koyambedu flyover. The project will be continued as an elevated road along the Cooum river by crossing Koyambedu metro line to join with the existing elevated road to avoid intermingling of local traffic.

On benefits to the Chennai port, Raveendran said that 64 per cent of cargo handled by the port is through road. However, the port is able to operate 24x7 basis gate only at northern side — Gate No 1 in Royapuram — causing heavy traffic congestion at both inside and outside the port.

Hence, it is essential to provide 24x7 basis gate at southern side also near Gate No 10. Also establishing exclusive road connecting port and Maduravoyal without affecting city traffic, he said.

HBL