Know the latest about the expansion of ECR in Chennai!!
Posted on: 16/Sep/2022 9:42:11 AM
National Highways Authority of India or NHAI`s new road route that avoids cutting down trees and constructing over water bodies near Puducherry has been approved by the National Green Tribunal or NGT. This would pave the way for the expansion of ECR. A resident cum activist belonging to Puducherry has submitted a petition before the NGT.
It was brought out by the petition that NHAI had initially proposed to remove 680 palm trees present at Thirubuvanai Lake bund near the proposed widening portion of the national highway from 2way to 4way. It also pointed out that the French canal would be closed.
The activist was highly concerned about the cutting down of palm trees and he had asked NGT to give instructions to NHAI to make a small change in the design. This includes bending the road 10m to the side of the lake and canal and to keep the palm trees in their original state itself.
It must be noted that the ECR links Chennai and Nagapattinam and is further linked to Thoothukudi and Kanniyakumari. The ECR road widening project would play a huge role in connecting several ports present. A promise was made by NHAI regarding adhering to the current compensatory afforestation standards. That is 10 trees for every tree removed for road widening work. A promise regarding taking appropriate mitigation steps to retain the current water storage capacity was also made by NHAI.
In the April month, Puducherry district collector held a meeting with all the parties to provide a solution for this issue. It was revealed by NHAI in the meeting that cutting down of palm trees cannot be avoided as southern alignment of the highway would necessitate the acquisition of new land. This would affect 173 homes, business and a school etc.
It is important to mention here that the Irrigation department was unhappy as it was not consulted before taking the decision. The Irrigation department was of the view that the expansion would block the waterways leading to issues to the public. The decision taken by NHAI was that it would not cut down 550 palm trees and it would not build the service road over the tank bund.
