The Hindu 24.03.2010
Grade separators proposed on Anna Salai at Rs.500 crore
Staff Reporter
| Extension of Metro Rail Project to Tiruvottiyur under study |
File Photo 
The proposed grade separators are expected to facilitate smooth flow of traffic on Anna Salai.
CHENNAI: The State Government will construct grade separators at intersections on Anna Salai in the city, to ease traffic congestion, at a cost of Rs.500 crore utilising the resources of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), Finance Minister K.Anbazhagan said here on Friday.
Presenting the budget for 2010-2011, he said: “A comprehensive study conducted by the CMDA on transport scenario in the Chennai Metropolitan Area has recommended provision of various transportation facilities with an investment of Rs.88,200 crore.”
“In accordance with these recommendations, the government will consider augmenting the transport facilities in Chennai Metropolitan Area in the coming years,” he said. After the six laning of Rajiv Gandhi Salai, works for grade separators at its major junctions will be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs.171 crore. A sum of Rs.165 crore has been allocated for development of the Singaperumalkoil-Oragadam-Sriperumbudur Road.
On the Chennai Metro Rail Project, he said that the feasibility of extending the project to connect Tiruvottiyur was being studied. A provision of Rs.600 crore has been made in the budget as the share of Tamil Nadu government towards the Metro Rail Project, the Minister added.
Pointing to the fact that Tamil Nadu was the most urbanised State in the country in terms of the percentage of urban population, he said “The government has been implementing various schemes, recognising the need for providing infrastructural facilities commensurate with the increasing population in urban areas.”
The government is implementing two major desalination projects, at Minjur and Nemmeli. “A sewage treatment plant with 120 million litres per day capacity will be constructed at Koyambedu at a cost of Rs.130 crore in the coming financial year. Works for stormwater drains and flood protection in Chennai Corporation sanctioned at a cost of Rs.1,447 crore will be completed in three years,” Mr.Anbazhagan said.
