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| Tamil Nadu Chief Minister inspects the Anna Arch renovation work. |
Chennai: The
restoration work of the iconic landmark of Chennai, Anna Arch, has begun
after a brief inspection by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa
along with officials on Wednesday. The Arch was earlier ordered to be
dismantled and shifted to elsewhere by the high-way department to make
way for Rs 117 crore flyover proposed to be constructed to ease the
traffic congestion in the interjection of Poonamalle High Road to Anna
Nagar.
After inspection, The CM said, “I came here to oversee the restoration work which commenced today.” Earlier, the Chief Minister in a review meeting held at the secretariat on Monday directed officials to take up restoration work from Wednesday.
Highways secretary Niranjan Mardi explained the measures to be undertaken by the department to the reporters. According to officials, restoration work would be completed in four months as the damaged steel rods would be replaced and strengthened with additional rods.
In a bid to strengthen the structure, a higher grade of cement concrete would be used, the official said, adding if needed, the department would seek the help of a consultant in restoration work.
Earlier, two mammoth cranes were pressed into service along with diamond cutters to cut the huge arches, which were built by AIADMK patriarch and former chief minister M G Ramachandran in 1986. The demolition was stalled by the incumbent chief minister after lot of hues and cry were raised over dismantling of the iconic structure. Since doubts were raised over the safety of the arch by a section of the media, government decided to restore the structure with its original glory.
Mayor’s apology
Meanwhile, Anna arch issue turned Chennai corporation council meet on Wednesday into a battleground with ruling AIADMK and DMK slamming each other for demolition move.
Not only the opposition, even the ruling AIADMK zonal chairman Santhanam slammed the Mayor and the council for adopting a recent resolution favouring demolition of the arch for construction of a grade separator.
Sensing trouble, the mayor expressed regret and said the council just processed the proposal mooted during the previous DMK regime and was unaware of the intention.
After inspection, The CM said, “I came here to oversee the restoration work which commenced today.” Earlier, the Chief Minister in a review meeting held at the secretariat on Monday directed officials to take up restoration work from Wednesday.
Highways secretary Niranjan Mardi explained the measures to be undertaken by the department to the reporters. According to officials, restoration work would be completed in four months as the damaged steel rods would be replaced and strengthened with additional rods.
In a bid to strengthen the structure, a higher grade of cement concrete would be used, the official said, adding if needed, the department would seek the help of a consultant in restoration work.
Earlier, two mammoth cranes were pressed into service along with diamond cutters to cut the huge arches, which were built by AIADMK patriarch and former chief minister M G Ramachandran in 1986. The demolition was stalled by the incumbent chief minister after lot of hues and cry were raised over dismantling of the iconic structure. Since doubts were raised over the safety of the arch by a section of the media, government decided to restore the structure with its original glory.
Mayor’s apology
Meanwhile, Anna arch issue turned Chennai corporation council meet on Wednesday into a battleground with ruling AIADMK and DMK slamming each other for demolition move.
Not only the opposition, even the ruling AIADMK zonal chairman Santhanam slammed the Mayor and the council for adopting a recent resolution favouring demolition of the arch for construction of a grade separator.
Sensing trouble, the mayor expressed regret and said the council just processed the proposal mooted during the previous DMK regime and was unaware of the intention.
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