TN government gives nod to use M-sand
Posted on: 15/Nov/2017 12:00:35 PM
Due to non-availability of sand, construction of double-decker bridge at Velachery, Vijaya Nagar junction was shelved for long. This project is likely to begin soon as the government has agreed to allow the use of M-sand as an alternate material.
Back in 2013, the state highways department had planned the construction of the flyover at a cost of Rs 70 crore. This will allow the commuters with a hassle-free traveling on Velachery Main Road, Velachery Bypass Road, Taramani Link Road and GST Road.
At snail’s pace since beginning
Just like the other flyovers that are under-construction in Chennai, works at Velachery are also crippled because of sand scarcity. Right from the beginning of the construction, the works have been taking place at snail’s pace because of hindrances due to land acquisition near Vijay Nagar junction, and skeptical flyover design owing to metro water pipeline alongside the bypass road.
In 2016, the lands were acquired at a cost of Rs 110 crore. About 40 percent of the work has got over. Instead of river sand, now the government has approved use of M-sand. M-sand is produced out of hard granite, to note. By September 2018, the construction is likely to get over.
There are severe traffic issues due to delay in this work. As a move to avoid traffic congestion, diversions were created. Commuters find it a nightmare to travel between Vijayanagar junction and Taramani.
The buses start from LIC colony road and ply from Vijay Nagar to Taramani, and the 100-feed road gets chocked at times of peak hours because of extensive usage.
One of these flyovers will begin from Velachery Bypass Road and arrive at the Velachery MRTS station. The other flyover will link bypass road and Taramani Link Road.
In either phase, the works are being done. It was in December 2015 that the Velachery bypass road kick-started, and the others have got begun this year.
