Porur flyover cost up by Rs 20 crore due to design change

Jul 15, 2014 / Times of India

CHENNAI: The state highways department has begun fresh efforts to revive the Porur flyover project, stalled for more than two years due to the need to effect a change in design. The cost of construction has gone up by Rs 20 crore. “The project, which began in 2010, was estimated to cost Rs 35 crore. “We have asked the government for a revised sanction so that we can go ahead with the new design,” said an official in the state highways department’s metro wing.”

Work on the flyover, set to come up at the Mount Poonamallee Road-Arcot Salai junction, was held up as a 600m-long-pipe carrying drinking water could not be shifted. “Even Metrowater couldn’t find a contractor who could do the job. Besides, the pipe was 1.5m wide. Any disruption in water supply would have led to a law and order issue. What could have been completed for 6 crore is now costing us 20 crore to change the design,” the official said. The foundation piers will now be on both sides of the pipeline instead of going straight. This will mean more concrete and in effect, higher costs.

Just 20% of the project has been completed. And the original contractor has quit citing escalating costs. “While we are waiting for the revised sanction, we have asked the tender committee if we can float new tenders. This is to speed up the process,” said the official.

When the work starts, it will take at least a year to complete. This is second time there has been a change in design. The first time was when the design envisaging double columns was changed to one incorporations single columns. This was done to avoid damage to other underground utilities.