[1]Work to remove the landmark Anna arches to make way for the Rs 117-crore two flyover project begun on Saturday night with the state highways department starting to pull down the arches with the help of a crane and diamond cutters.
A giant crane is being engaged to remove the arch weighing 40 tonnes. Initially, the pillars on which the arch rests will be truncated with the help of diamond cutters and the arch will be lifted by the crane and brought down for demolition, an official of the highways department said.
The demolition drive, meanwhile, attracted many visitors to the spot and people were seen clicking pictures of the massive arches.
The arches, which were designed by Ganapathy Sthapathi, was constructed in 1985 to commemorate the platinum jubilee celebration of former chief minister C.N. Annadurai. AIAMDK founder and former chief minister M.G. Ramachandran had inaugurated it.
An exact replica of the arches will be installed on Third Avenue near the bridge over the Cooum River.
“We have taken photographs of the arch from every possible angle. We have also asked the city corporation for the design drawings,” said an official.
The statue of Annadurai would be lifted from in front of the arches and installed at the place where the replica would come up.
Links:
[1] http://archive.asianage.com/02anna-archjpgcropdisplayjpg-867