Chennai: The long-pending elevated corridor project, connecting Light House on Kamarajar Salai with Thiru Vi Ka bridge in Adyar, has been revived by the state highways department with a minor tweak in the design.The department has floated tenders for a detailed project report (DPR), to be done at a cost of ₹38 lakh with completion within two months. Senior highways officials told TOI that the 4km elevated corridor will begin near Light House and ply on Santhome High Road, Greenways Road and till Thiru Vi Ka bridge across Adyar river. The project, announced by highways minister Aadhav Arjuna, is the first big-ticket project of the department under TVK govt.“The previously proposed flyover was a sea-link, but this one is entirely on the road-side along the Santhome High Road stretch. It will not touch the Marina Loop Road. The carriageway is small in some parts, and land acquisition might be needed for about 30% of the stretch. Beyond Santhome High Road, the right of way is adequate,” the official said.An official said, “Since it is a sea-side area, rust formation is quick. Hence, we might have to build the elevated corridor using concrete.” He said the traffic towards Adyar, OMR, ECR, Guindy and the returning traffic towards Kamarajar Salai would be diverted through Loop Road during the construction period.The earlier DMK govt had tried to build a similar link flyover via Besant Nagar Broken Bridge, but the project was put on hold before elections as it required relocation of 3,000 fishermen families in Srinivasapuram. TVK govt took that into consideration and decided to find an alternative design, said officials.It takes about 30 minutes to cross the 4km stretch during peak hours, and about 20 minutes otherwise. Officials said the new policy of the highways department is to build elevated corridors stretching beyond 5 km, and similar projects are planned from Padi to Thirunindravur, Madhavaram to Sholavaram and Kilambakkam to Mahindra City as well.
