CMDA plans bus terminus whithout evaluating the impact of proposed elevated highway

CHENNAI:

Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority is trying to rush the bus terminus project in Kilambakkam for South-bound buses without taking into account the proposed elevated highway from Chennai Airport to Chengalpattu toll and the Outer Ring Road flyover linking the GST Road.

It is learnt that the proposed bus terminus has been designed without taking into account the two key projects which could change the landscape of the area.

These include the proposed 42km elevated corridor between Chennai Airport and Chengalpet for which a detailed project report is already bring prepared by a consultant. At the same time, National Highway is also looking to build a 30km four or six-lane elevated stretch from Tambaram to Chengalpet and work is expected to start by 2020.

Similarly, the Outer Ring Road project is also being conceived near the proposed site and this has also not been taken into account while designing the bus terminus.

It is learnt that the Deputy Chief Minister O Paneerselvam is likely to review the project and officials are planning to come out with a proposed blueprint of the project that does not have the concurrence of technical and steering committees that were constituted in July, 2017, by the state government to oversee the project.

Similarly, CMDA has started the work on bus terminus without seeking clearance from Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which is the custodian of megalithic burial sites in the proposed area of 80 acres of land.

According to an amendment to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act in January 2010, all construction is banned within 100 metres of ASI-protected areas and any construction or reconstruction or repair of a building with 200 m of such areas requires permission from National Monument Authority.

Archaeological Survey of India has given a prescribed format through which Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority has to seek No Objection Certificate (NoC) for building the bus terminus. Sources believe the proposed design would not be able to satisfy the guidelines of ASI.

Currently, ‘No Objection Certificate’ is being given by ASI for only ground plus two floors in the area approximately with a maximum height of 10.5 metres.

Proposed Bus terminus:

1. Site area: 80 acres

2. Proposed bus terminus: 32 acres or 45 acres of land

3. Concourse building (connection to Urapakkam Railway station: 0.293 acres

4. Area proposed for economic zone:

Commercial Center 1: 9.5 acres

Commercial Centre 2: 3.5 acres

Convention Centre: 6 acres

Public transit: 3 acres

Bank and health centre: 1.2 acre

Internal main road: 5 acres