The latest news that has come out is NHAI or National Highways Authority of India that had earlier floated tenders so that the Rs 1200 crore on Chennai-Bengaluru 6 lane road widening works could be carried out by the month of March have cancelled their tender notification now. According to some official sources technical reasons are cited as the cause for cancellation of this project.
It is said that the 61km km stretch present between Sriperumbudur and Wallajah would have been benefited if the 6 lane road widening works had started as planned.
A senior official belonging to NHAI expressed his thoughts and said because of project estimation, design and technical reasons, the tenders have been cancelled. He also spoke about how new tenders would be floated soon.
The total distance of Chennai-Bengaluru Bypass road is 326kms. The 61km stretch between Sriperumbudur and Walajah Road has got 4 lanes and Koyambedu- Sriperumbudur Road and Walajah–Bengaluru Road has got 6 lanes is known.
In the year 2014, widening of 4 lanes to 6 lanes was started and the widening project involved about construction of 20 underpasses en route in places like Chembarambakkam, Perumbulipakkam etc.
There were proposals to build flyovers in places like Vanagaram, Kumananchavadi, Sunguvarchathiram, Mambakkam etc. At around 22 locations pedestrian underpasses were also proposed at that time. NHAI had set up toll plaza at Sriperumbudur in the year 2014 and this was before the works had begun. The road between Sriperumbudur and Wallajah had many pot holes and this lead to many accidents. The commuters are also affected by hike in the toll fee.
A resident of Vellore, Mr. Santhosh Narayanan spoke about how the vehicles move very slowly on the road from Koyambedu and Wallajah. He also threw light on how it takes two hours to reach Maduravoyal from Irungkattukottai in rush hour.
He further explained that without widening the road the NHAI have hiked the toll fee and it was not fair. The works were delayed by a contractor and he cited increased project cost and there were no land acquisitions in the 6 lane widening. In the year 2016 the NHAI terminated the project works as the contractor opted out of the project. It is now revealed that paper works for floating revised tenders have reached the final stage and bids to start the widening works would be invited. This was confirmed by an official.