G.Corner elevated rotary awaits inter-departmental clearances

With inter-departmental clearances still being awaited for the proposed elevated rotary at G.Corner intersection on Chennai-Tiruchi Bypass Road in the city, Tiruchi MP Durai Vaiko has urged the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the Railways to expedite the process.

Last year, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had proposed to build an elevated rotary at the intersection instead of a vehicular underpass, a long-pending demand from the public. The roundabout on an elevated structure would allow vehicles to cross over the highway from the service roads. It was proposed to be built at an estimated cost of about ₹60 crore and the NHAI had sought about 3.24 hectares of land on both sides of the highway for the project.

Mr. Durai Vaiko, who had been pushing for a permanent solution to the ‘16 year-old problem,’ has urged the Railways and the Ministry of Highways to expedite the process of giving necessary clearances for the project as the intersection is an accident-prone black spot.

In a recent representation to Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Harsh Malhotra, Mr. Durai Vaiko said the elevated rotary alone was found to be a permanent solution. During a joint meeting with the General Manager, Southern Railway, Divisional Railway Manager and senior officials of NHAI, the Railways requested certain modifications to the general agreement drawing (GAD) prior to processing the request for NOC.

The Railways had requested that the size of approach slope be reduced and made a two-lane approach instead of four lanes so as to minimise the extent of Railway land required for the project. The Regional Office, NHAI, Madurai, has already communicated the matter to the headquarters, Mr. Durai Vaiko said and requested the Minister to examine the suggestion so that the project could be implemented to prevent further loss of lives.

In a separate representation to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Mr. Durai Vaiko sought the issue of the NOC at the earliest. “As per official data from the Tiruchi City Police, the junction has been identified as a black spot, with 31 recorded fatalities and 121 accidents, while the actual figures are likely to be higher. As the project requires Railway land, issuance of a NOC is essential,” he said.

Following the joint meeting held on January 30 with the General Manager, Southern Railway, the Railways had agreed, in principle, to the project, subject to minor revisions, he said and urged the Minister to issue necessary directions to complete the remaining formalities at the earliest.

Mr. Durai Vaiko said that both the Ministers had responded positively to his request and expressed confidence that the project would soon be implemented.