CUDDALORE:
The decade-long demand of the people of Cuddalore became a reality as the subway construction work at the congested railway gate on Lawrence Road began on Friday.
Special Programme Implementation Minister M C Sampath inaugurated the Rs 7.44 crore project. The people of Cuddalore along with various organisations and political parties had been organising a number of protests seeking a subway since 2000. There are two railway gates (numbered 159 and 160) at Cuddalore. After people began making a demand for an overbridge to ease traffic congestion, a bridge was constructed over Gate 160 at the cost of `14 crore and was opened for traffic in 2004.
A subway was planned under Gate 159 on Lawrence Road and funds were also allotted. However, the work did not begin. The problem really began when the railways began a conversion from meter gauge to broad gauge in 2008. The railways had planned to close Gate 159 permanently assuming that subway had already been constructed. The gate is situated very close to bus stand and to the market on Lawrence Road.
“It witnesses heavy congestion when trains pass. Around 15 trains pass the gate every day and vehicles have to wait for nearly 20 minutes every time,” resident said. Lawrence Road is also a vital path to reach Thirupapuliyur. In response to the move to close down Gate 159, the public began protests, held rallies and demonstrations, even in Chennai, to push for subway work to get started. On the other hand, shopkeepers near the railway gate, in the name Anaithu Viyapara Sangankangalin Peravai, went to the High Court with a writ petition seeking a stay on the subway work. Activists alleged that they were trying to stop the work as their business would get affected due to the subway.
After the High Court turned down the writ petition in August, all the hindrances were cleared for the project. Minister MC Sampath inaugurated the subway work and in the first phase underground water supply pipelines would be shifted.
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