Construction of a high level bridge on the important Pallavaram - Thoraipakkam Radial Road in Chennai!!
Pallikaranai marshland needs to be protected. It is known that this marshland plays a role in flood reduction especially in the southern parts of Chennai
For protecting the marshland, the state Highways dept has taken an important decision now. It has proposed to build a high level bridge from Kamatchi Memorial Hospital to Thoraipakkam on the Pallavaram- Thoraipakkam Radial Road.
A detailed project report or DPR would be prepared for the high level bridge at a cost of Rs 20 lakhs. This was mentioned by Mr. E.V. Velu, the minister for Highways. It is noteworthy that the 200 feet Pallavaram- Thoraipakkam radial road cuts the marshland at Pallikaranai.
Information gathered is that the dept of Forests have 749 hectares of Pallikaranai marshland out of a total of 1206.59 hectares. Bitter fact is that the remaining 457.59 hectares is being occupied by many public as well as private institutions plus GCC. It is learnt that GCC has got 173.56 hectares as a dumping yard.
The construction of a high level bridge would allow free flow of water on the marshland. It was later brought out by the minister Mr. E.V. Velu that the state highways dept would construct 2 FOB with escalators at the Velachery railway station bus stop and on the IRR near Koyambedu junction. An amount of Rs 35.80cr would be spent on this.
Under the Ungal Thoguthiyil Mudhalamaichar Scheme, the state Highways dept would start Rs 1055 cr highway projects like widening of 6 roads and 6 bypasses etc.
