From April onwards, construction work of Chennais first steel bridge would begin!!
An important piece of information for Chennaii residents!!
Thoraipakkam and Neelankarai in south Chennai would be connected by means of a steel bridge. The bridge would be coming up across Buckingham canal. It is now said that this would be the Chennai city`s first steel bridge.
The design of the steel bridge is ready and the TN govt has sanctioned an amount of Rs 35crore for the construction of the bridge. Information is that the bridge would be constructed at a height that would allow the boats to ply in the water beneath.
It was brought to light by some sources belonging to the Highways Department that the facility would allow the expansion of Pallavaram- Thoraipakkam radial road`s extension that begins from the GST Road.
For the motorists coming from the GST Road, connectivity to the ECR would be provided once construction gets over. According to an official from the Highways dept, tenders have been floated and the process was in advanced stage. The work would begin from the end of April month. The work would get completed in another 9 months.
According to a resident from Thoraipakkam it was clear that from Thiruvanmiyur to Sholinganallur there was no link road between OMR and ECR. In the rush hours, those going to schools and offices have been finding it difficult to cross the canal. Heavy vehicles use the small pedestrian facilities that were constructed many years back. He mentioned that on the narrow roads leading to these bridges the vehicles would have to wait on the other side if one auto crosses. He concluded that if GCC demolishes these facilities then it would become worse.
As per a retired official belonging to the state Highways dept, bridge could be connected on the roads on either side only if the Revenue Dept or RD and Water Resources Dept or WRD provide lands. The official then spoke about how on the Thoraipakkam side WRD would have to relocate residents of 43 houses. He added that on the other side the Revenue Dept would have to provide compensation to the residents of CLRI Nagar in Neelankarai. He concluded that these would be finished on time to link the bridge and bring the much needed relief for the OMR residents.
It has been brought to light that on the OMR side about 800m of the road has been completed and on the ECR side another 600m would have to be laid.
