Miffed with the increasing project cost overruns, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), which is handling both Chennai port- Maduravoyal elevated expressway (CPME) and Ennore-Manali road improvement project (EMRIP), has expressed its inability to complete them on time.
While high traffic has posed a barrier in the case of EMRIP, the lack of go-ahead from the state officials for the CPME project, along the banks of Cooum river has stalled further progress. NHAI has spent `500 crore on CPME and Rs 120 crore on EMRIP already.
“The fate of these prestigious projects, aimed at development of Chennai port and decongestion of Poonamallee high road, is in doubt,” said Mr I.G. Reddy, chief general manager, NHAI speaking at the sidelines of SICCI Shipping Conclave.
The Rs 1,500 crore four-lane elevated highway project has been in a limbo for the last six months after the state government raised objections citing alignment issues in March.
“Even after clarifying the issues in the project of which 15 per cent has been completed, there has been no response from the government,” Mr Reddy claimed.