The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has called for tenders to appoint consultants for preparing a detailed project report to revive the 4-lane elevated road from Chennai Port to Maduravoyal.
Officials said that this was the third call for tenders and were hopeful that consultants would evince interest in the project. “Discussions are on with some companies,” an official said.
The consultant should look at various alignment options at three locations, including the starting point of the project near Gate No. 10 to Chennai Port near Napier Bridge.
Near Napier Bridge, the realignment should be on the northern bank of Cooum river to join with existing PWD road to enter the Chennai Port premises. Along the Cooum, single column piers have to be constructed for a distance of about 9 km, except for locations where it is not possible to construct single column pier due to presence of sharp curves or deficient geometric considerations. In case there is any obstruction to free flow of water, mitigation measures such as deepening and widening of river bed shall be proposed.
The official explained that in the final stretch near Koyambedu flyover, realignment should be suggested along the Cooum to join the existing elevated road to avoid mingling of local traffic. The ‘at grade’ stretch proposed earlier at Koyambedu flyover is being avoided by this. The alignment will shift to northern bank and will cross the Chennai Metro Rail Line and move along southern bank of Cooum river to join the NH-4.
Apart from the new alignment, the consultant should provide the cost for construction, including labour and administrative charges.
He should also look at how it can be made economically viable by suggesting appropriate locations for toll plazas and parking lots.
The project to provide improved connectivity to the Chennai Port was stalled in 2012 after objections were raised over the alignment of the corridor. After discussions, the State government asked the NHAI to provide a detailed proposal on the realignment of the corridor..