Demolition of 2 hotels opposite to Central railway Station in full swing
Posted on: 23/May/2014 4:32:36 PM
Demolition of 2 hotels (Hotel Central Tower & Hotel Howrah) has been taken up at full speed.
This is expected to be completed before the end of this month. The vacant 30,000 sq ft space will be used for building a bus station and a 3-storeyed vehicle parking arrangement, and also counters for issue of boarding passes for different flights and other faculties.
Metro Rail Project has been planned to reduce the traffic congestion in Chennai City. Costing Rs. 14600 Crores, the 2-track system will cover a distance of 45 km. A part of the service will be underground. Tunnelling work has been taken up.
The first corridor is between Washermanpet- Central Station – Saidapet --- Chennai Airport. The second corridor is between Chennai Central Station – Egmore – Kilpauk – Anna Nagar – Thirumangalam – Koyambedu --- St. Thomas Mount.
Both corridors meet at the Chennai Central Railway Station. Hence, a huge Metro Railway Station is being constructed. Metro authorities tried to acquire the lands where Hotel Central Tower & Hotel Howrah are located, There were objections from the Hotel owners and a court case went on for 4 years after which it was cleared for Metro.
The hotel owners request for 1 month time to remove their belongings. This got over with the 19th of May. So, demolition work of these 2 hotels has commenced.
All TV sets, Air-conditioners, and other equipment in the hotels have been removed and kept aside and then only the demolition was started. It will be completed before this month end.
On one side, it is the Poonamallee High riad with very heavy traffic. On the other side, it is a railway track. So, care has been taken while handling the debris from the demolition in a safe way.
30,000 sq ft vacant space will be available after the demolition. Construction of a huge bus station will be started at the ground level. Underground, construction of the railway station will start. It will consist of paths, ventilation systems, and a 3-tiered vehicle-parking system. There will be facilities for waiting passengers, ticket counters, and small offices for the bus operators.
Those who proceed to the airport cannot carry heavy luggages in metro rail. So, facility is provided for the checking & issuing boarding passes for the heavy luggages.
Roads for the underground Chennai Central Station, The existing station at the Moore market complex, and the 2 underground stations for the Metro rail are also under construction.
