Land acquisition issues slow down multi-level bridge construction.

Construction of the multi-level bridge near the Railway Junction in the city continues to make slow progress as there has not been much headway in the acquisition of land required for the project.

To be built at a cost of Rs. 81.40 crore, the bridge is being built in two stages. In the first stage, a new three-lane bridge with five arms will be built at a cost of Rs. 44.28 crore adjacent to the existing bridge. The old bridge will be dismantled in the next stage to make way for a new bridge with two arms. The first stage of the new flyover is scheduled to be completed by February 2017 and the second stage by 2019.

The Highways Department has commenced work on another arm of the bridge towards the Crawford Road. However, the department could not accelerate the project work as the process of land transfer from Central government agencies and acquisition of some private land was yet to be completed. A substantial portion of the land was still with the Railways. A portion of Defence land towards the Mannarpuram side needs to be transferred to the highways. This apart, private land is to be acquired near the Aristo Hotel side and towards the Central Bus Stand side.

Sources in the Highways Department indicated that there has been some forward movement in the process of getting the Defence land. The Defence authorities have given the “demand” for the compensation to be paid and it would have to be approved by the government.

However, there has not been much progress in the negotiation to get the railway land. The Highways Department had sought on transfer about 5,100 square metres of Railway land and of this about 2,000 square metres was required for the first phase of the project.

The Highways Department has laid service lane on the left side towards the Dindigul Highway in the available space so that at least light vehicles could use the section. But the department could not lay the service lane of the planned width of seven metres as some portion of railway land is required for the purpose.

Service organisations have been demanding early transfer and acquisition of land for the project. “This is an important project for the development of the city. The required land should be made available for the project. The impediments in the process should be removed at the earliest,” said N. Ramakrishnan, a civic activist.

Mr. Ramakrishnan had made a representation to Chief Minister Jayalalithaa urging her to use her good offices with the Centre to get the required land for the project.

THE HINDU