Govt dragging Major Elevated Highway project: NHAI tells HC

The Additional Solicitor General today submitted in the Madras High court that the National Highways Authority of India will walk out of the Rs 1,815 crore Major Elevated Highway project between Chennai Port Trust to Maduravoil if the Tamil Nadu government would go on "delaying it for unnecessary reasons".
Additional Solicitor General (South India) P Wilson said though clearances were obtained from State Environment Department, the government was now maintaining that the NHAI should get fresh clearance for the 19 km project. "This was only to drag the project", he said.
The project would benefit the entire Chennai city and the Chennai Port Trust, he said.

Because of the "Stop Work" notice issued by the state government, the entire work was delayed and there was a huge public outcry for the implementation of it, he said. Pillars have been raised in more than 2.5 kms stretch in the middle of the road which has become a hindrance to the free flow of traffic and it was blocking the road, he said.
The First Bench Comprising Acting Chief Justice R K Agrawal and Justice M Sathyanarayanan posted the matter for filing counter by the state government for August 19.