Chennai: Days after chief minister C Joseph Vijay announced the cancellation of a Chennai project, the cabinet on Thursday decided to put the Uthandi elevated corridor project on hold pending a report from a technical committee.The multi-crore project, planned by the previous DMK govt as a four-lane elevated corridor along East Coast Road from West Avenue Road to Uthandi under the hybrid annuity model, ran into controversy over alleged cost escalation after the TVK govt assumed office.“We have decided to keep the project on hold till a technical committee examines it,” an official said. “A detailed project report is awaited.” At the cabinet meeting, officials gave a detailed briefing on the high-cost project.In its budget last year, the DMK govt had announced that the state highways authority would construct a 14.2km four-lane elevated road from Thiruvanmiyur to Uthandi along ECR at a cost of Rs 2,100 crore. In its order in May last year, the govt said that rapid urbanisation along ECR had led to dense development in surrounding areas and a manifold increase in traffic.The project was to be implemented under the hybrid annuity model, with a short concession period of eight years, including a three-year construction period, and a 40% grant from the state. There were allegations that the contract was awarded at a cost higher than the tender estimate and that the amount was increased again shortly before the assembly election date was announced.PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss had demanded a probe against elected representatives and officials involved. “The govt felt the project was finalised in a hurried manner, resulting in inflated costs. It has decided to have it studied by technical experts in the interest of the people,” a minister said.
