Jayalalithaa opens world's largest green hotel in Chennai

Honble Chief Minister inaugurated the newly built ITC Grand Chola Hotel in Guindy, Chennai.

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today inaugurated ITC group's world's largest LEED Platinum certified green hotel 'ITC Grand Chola' here. 

Inspired by the architectural splendour of the Chola Dynasty, the hotel is a 600-room super premium luxury integrated hotel complex with one lakh sq ft  of banqueting and convention facility including a 30,000 sq ft pillar-less ballroom. 

Having 10 signature restaurants, the hotel provides the visitors a 23,000 sq ft Kaya Kalp, the royal spa. The hotel is 100% powered by renewable energy. 

The hotel embodies the highest standards in Indian hospitality balanced with elegant restraint in a prime property with a distinct personality. The ITC Grand Chola has 522 rooms and 78 luxuriously appointed serviced apartments. Its 600 spacious guest rooms, suites and luxury serviced apartments, are the epitome of Indian grace and style, expertly appointed with thoughtful amenities. It exceeds the needs of both the business traveller as well as the bespoke requirements of the destination connoisseur. 

Ideal Location

The delights of this luxurious hotel are multifarious. As a fascinating throwback to a vibrant period in Indian history, ITC Grand Chola stands for timeless beauty and luxury. Built in the midst of the business hub of Guindy and located on Mount Road, ITC Grand Chola in Chennai is within close proximity to many key areas of Chennai and is just 8 km away from the domestic and international airport. This luxury hotel which exceeds the grandeur of existing 5-star hotels in Chennai is also an ideal destination for both business and leisure sojourns. The well-connected roads and transportation system enable easy accessibility to commercial points and key areas in the city.  

Refined Artistry

Towering facades and flowing architecture are leaves taken from the aesthetics of the Cholas, an ancient dynasty that made a deep impact on many regions within and outside of this country. From the shores of the Bay of Bengal to that of South Asian borders of Malaysia, China and Sri Lanka among others, the Cholas have influenced art, architecture and culture from their time to now. Impeccably carved temples, bronze sculptures of unparalleled beauty and keen attention to detail is aesthetics that continue to influence the visitors.

Chennai's landmark 'Anna Arch' to survive

CHENNAI: Anna Arch, built by MGR in memory of his mentor CN Annadurai in 1985, will live to tell the tale of its survival after chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Wednesday ordered stalling of its demolition, a media report quoting official release.

The landmark twin arch had withstood attempts by workers to bring it down using a variety of equipment including diamond cutters since Saturday. The structure was to be pulled down to make way for a twin flyover-subway project to east traffic on Poonamallee High Road.

   

The 117crore state highways project envisaged by the previous DMK government, will now be realigned, but it will suffer a sixmonth delay. "I have directed the officials not to remove the arch, one of the city's landmarks . The alignment of the flyover linking EVR Salai (Poonamallee High Road) with Anna Nagar will be taken slightly to the eastern side and the works will resume," Jayalalithaa said in a statement.

"I am happy to announce that attempts to remove the Peraringnar Anna Platinum Jubilee Arch have been stalled," she said. The state highways department was making futile attempts since Saturday to dismantle the massive structure, using diamond cutters and towering cranes. Police had prohibited entry of vehicles through the arch which was to be demolished by a private contractor for 8 lakh.

The flyover-subway plan is to link Nelson Manickam Road with Third Avenue, Anna Nagar to ease traffic congestion on Poonamallee High Road, which has seen a multifold increase in traffic. A comprehensive traffic and transportation study by the CMDA in 2009 revealed that the average travel speed on Poonamallee High Road had come down from 32 km/hr in 1992 to 25 km/ hr in 2008. The ongoing metro works on the arterial road, too, has slowed down traffic.

At least 240 piles have been built on three sides for the flyover, and tens of pillars have been completed on Third Avenue Anna Nagar and for raising a loop on the western side. "A consultant will be engaged shortly to study the feasibility of change in alignment on the eastern side. In all likelihood, the alteration will reduce the travel speed from the proposed 80 kmph by half," a senior government official told Times News Network. A team from Mumbai is likely to be engaged to do retrofitting.