ECR upgradation begins

By T. S. Shankar

CHENNAI, MAY 15.The much-awaited upgradation of the Chennai- Cuddalore East Coast Road has begun with the authorities taking up widening of the highway.

For about 115 km, the road's width is being widened by 3.5 metres. At present, it is seven metres. The widened portion between Sholinganallur and Pondicherry have bituminous surface.

The need for the improvement work has been intensely felt as the ECR is increasingly becoming one of the ``dangerous highways'' to drive, particularly in the southern fringes of the city. An added element is the presence of many amusement parks along the corridor.

Being executed at a cost of Rs. 60 crores, the upgradation work will not just pertain to widening of the road but include the provision of a number of facilities along the corridor.

``We have programmed to complete the execution of the entire work by December'', say officials of the Tamil Nadu Road Development Company (TNRDC), which has been entrusted by the State Government with the responsibility of maintenance till 2030.

Conscious of the unsafe conditions on the ECR, the TNRDC will take steps for the establishment of a helpline facility at every three km, 24-hour patrolling and control rooms. Tow-away vehicles and ambulance will also be available.

TNRDC officials say ``we are negotiating with insurance companies for providing insurance cover to all the road-users who may get injured on the ECR in hit-and-run accidents''.

As part of the road improvement component, the TNRDC will undertake a complete resurfacing of the ECR, conforming to international standards. Nine dangerous curves, where accidents take place frequently, are to be straightened.

To ensure high quality of bituminous surface, two hard-mix plants, imported from South Korea, have been established in Kadambadi and Marakkanam.

``We have imposed strict conditions for implementing the work. The agency, which is executing the work, will be maintaining the road for the next five years so that they cannot adopt any lax attitude at the time of carrying out the work'', they say, adding ``we want to make it a model road''.

On the basis of the TNRDC's recommendation, the Government has classified the ECR a tolled corridor.

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Section  : Southern States
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