The Hindu 04.10.2010
Elevated bus corridor alignment modified
A. Srivathsan
The proposed elevated bus corridor will start near Thiru-Vi-Ka Bridge and run along the southern banks of the Adyar river.
CHENNAI: The alignment of the proposed 15.8-km elevated bus corridor that starts near the Thiru-Vi-Ka Bridge and runs along the southern banks of River Adyar up to Chennai Bypass Road has been modified.
Three major changes have been proposed. The earlier option of the three-tiered road with a dedicated bus lane on the topmost tier has been dropped. Instead, only a single tier, six-lane road with a dedicated bus corridor in the middle has been proposed.
Second, the alignment has been changed near Porur. It would now turn towards Kunrathur and then join Chennai Bypass Road instead of going along Mount-Poonamalee Road.
The third change is near the Thiru-Vi-Ka Bridge end. Instead of immediately climbing up to become an elevated road, the proposed road would be on grade along the river for a distance of about 1.5 km and ascend only after that.
The elevated bus corridor would be supported by two piers, of which one would be in the river bed till Ramavaram. Parks, parking lots and bicycle tracks are proposed under the road along the river bank.
When it meets the elevated metro rail at Saidapet and Jafarkanpet bridges, the bus corridor would ascend further and cross over. Two foot overbridges are proposed near Defence Colony and Saidapet to connect with the northern banks of River Adyar. “This is to facilitate people across the river to reach the proposed bus rapid system,” pointed out an official connected with the project.
When the draft report of this alignment was first published in May 2009 for public consultation, slum-dwellers and owners of residences who were to be evicted opposed the alignment and wanted it modified. The proposed changes are not in response to their demands but done more for alignment and transportation purposes.
“The displaced slum-dwellers and residents will be properly rehabilitated and resettled,” said the official. “This project would be beneficial to the city as it would improve connectivity and foster development along the corridors.”
The final feasibility report submitted of the modified alignment has been submitted to Chennai Rivers Restoration Trust. Once it is approved, the consultants would prepare the detailed project report. This project is estimated to cost about Rs.1,430 crore.
Final feasibility reports for four more elevated corridors have also been submitted.
