CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday (February 12) wrote to Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari over the poor state of road connectivity between the Chennai to Ranipet National Highway. The Chief Minister claimed that the condition of the road was so bad that he had to plan to visit some districts by train recently. Highlighting that the road section provides “vital connectivity” to industrial clusters in Chennai and its ports at Kanchipuram, Vellore, Ranipet, Hosur and Krishnagiri, Steyn said a specific statement made by the DMK by the Union Minister in Parliament Responding to the request, MP Dayanidhi Maran was “very general” and “non-committal” in this regard.
“I would like to bring to your kind notice the request made by Thiru Dayanidhi Maran, MP on the Table of Parliament to improve the condition of the existing road section from Chennai to Ranipet (NH-4). This section provides. City of Chennai and important connectivity from its ports to industrial clusters at Kanchipuram, Vellore, Ranipet, Hosur and Krishnagiri. The condition of the road is so bad that I had to plan my recent trips to some districts by train. While requesting our MPs for this important Was very specific on the road, we were disappointed by your reply which was very general and non-committal.”
He further added, “I would also like to bring to your notice the efforts made by our government to support NHAI projects in the state. Chennai Port to Maduravoyal elevated expressway project was revived by giving all possible help including waiver of royalty is. set.”
“Similar concessions, which were never granted in the past, have been extended to other major NHAI projects. Based on the request from your end, the validity of soil/gravel permits has been extended from 9-5- 3 months to 1 year. 2022. A special cell has been set up at the state headquarters to monitor land acquisition for highway projects. Permissions received from the Forest Department are also being reviewed and to the best of my knowledge such permissions No major NHAI project is stuck due to lack of funds.” He added.
“Apart from this, regular monitoring of the progress of land acquisition and loan-land permissions is being done by the District Collectors at the level of the Chief Secretary. There are other requests to waive the material cost, royalty and maintenance charges and provide the loaned land free of cost. .is also under consideration.”
Stalin further said that it is unfortunate that an impression has been created that the state government is not cooperating with NHAI, which has been highlighted in Nitin Gadkari’s reply in Parliament.
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“With all such sincere efforts by the government, it was unfortunate that in your reply to the Parliament, the perception of non-cooperation with the NHAI was highlighted by the state government. I assure you that this is not true and we will Trying my best.” To expedite all major infrastructure projects without discriminating between projects undertaken by State and Central Governments.”
The Chief Minister also said that work on six-laning of Sriperumbudur to Walajapet section of NH-4 was underway, but the work has been stalled due to contractual issues between the contractors and NHAI and hence the current road condition is very bad. Bad.
“I would be very grateful if you could instruct your officials to look into the very specific request raised by our MP. The road stretch mentioned is Sriperumbudur to Walajapet stretch of NH-4 where six-laning work is underway The work has been stalled due to contractual issues between the contractors and the NHAI and hence the existing road condition is very poor. It is not irrelevant to mention that in December 2020 the Hon’ble High Court of Madras had suspended the Sriperumbudur and Toll fee at Chennasamudram toll plaza 50 per cent. The poor road conditions and difficulties faced by road users have put a big dent in the reputation of NHAI, which is otherwise doing an excellent job in our state,” he said.
Assuring all necessary cooperation to NHAI projects, Union Minister Stalin requested that NHAI officials need to issue suitable instructions to expedite the six-laning works and maintain the road in good condition. Suitable instructions may kindly be issued to NHAI officials to expedite the work of six laning and to maintain the road in good condition. I once again assure you that we will continue to extend all necessary support to your projects.”