CHENNAI PORT: ‘EMRIP will be ready by June next’

Published in The New Indian Express, Chennai on Jan 24, 2012:

Source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/chennai/%E2%80%98emrip-will-be-ready-by-june-next%E2%80%99/356344.html

CHENNAI: Union Shipping Minister G K Vasan on Monday assured the media that the Rs 600 crore Ennore Manali Road Improvement Project (EMRIP) would be completed by June 2013, which was originally scheduled to be completed by Dec 2012.

Speaking to reporters after reviewing the progress of the two connectivity projects — Elevated Expressway from Chennai Port to Maduravoyal and Ennore Manali Road Improvement Project — aimed at improving the evacuation of road-bound cargo to and from Chennai Port, along with the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways C P Joshi at the port’s headquarters here, Vasan said, “While the EMRIP would be completed by June next year, the elevated expressway project is progressing well.”

Reacting to a question about the diminishing future of the Chennai Port in the face of repeated delays, Vas-an said, “Chennai Port has a bright future and you (media) will be there to report its prosperity.”
The minister during a foundation laying ceremony for EMRIP in Jan 2011 at Thiruvotriyur, had promised that the project would be completed within two years (Dec 2012).

Earlier, Vasan and Joshi reviewed the initiative taken by Chennai Port to improve its road and rail infrastructure so that there is a free flow of traffic inside the port. The issues of congestion inside the port and along the city roads leading to Chennai Port were discussed.

The ministers assured that approvals required for quick release of funds will be given due priority.