The Maduravoyal-Chennai port project which was stalled for over six years, might soon begin as the state and the Centre are in talks to revive the Rs 1800 crore project.
Sources told The New Indian Express that the hurdle over alignment of pillars is being cleared and suggestions in this regard have been communicated to the Centre. A fresh alignment has been decided and the state is likely to agree with it.
The problems with the project started when the new government came to power in 2011 and objected to the alignment. As the Centre and State were unable to reach a decision, the contracted construction firm left the project and filed a petition in the court asking for compensation for losses.
Later, the water resources department asked the NHAI to stop work as the pile caps which were constructed for the project obstructed free flow of water into the Cooum River.
But recently, the Centre urged the state to work out a solution. Now, the work is expected to begin soon and the Centre wants to complete it in the next two years.
They are considering different options and are even planning to bring back the old contractor. However, no final decision has been taken, as it also depends on the technicalities in awarding tenders and contracts and the ability of the firm to take up the project, reported TNIE.
Moreover, sources said that the fresh alignment might reduce the length of the elevated corridor. The project is expected to be completed within the previous budget of Rs 1800 crore.
However, it seems to be a difficult task as the state government has only allotted six km of land and it has been six years since the project was stalled.