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 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.
"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.
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