CHENNAI: The first phase of the long-awaited Ennore-Manali highway project, which would facilitate quicker transport of goods to and from the Chennai Port as well as reduce the traffic congestion in North Chennai, is expected to be completed by April 2012, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly D Jayakumar said here on Monday. Speaking at the inauguration of a Public Health Centre in Kathivakkam, an initiative of the Coramandel Group, the Speaker elaborated on the genesis of the project which he said was mooted by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in 2002. While the AIADMK government had sanctioned `160 cr for the project, the DMK government that came to office in 2006 put the project in the attic.He said that after the new government took over in May, one of the first decisions was to expedite this important infrastructure project though the cost had escalated to `600 crore. Apart from a monthly review, it was being ensured that the work was completed on time as it was also expected to bring down accident rates in that part of the city.Replying to issues raised by members of the local municipality as well as Tiruvottiyur MLA Kuppan, about the pollution resulting from a number of industries in the Royapuram-Tiruvottiyur areas, he said that the members of the industry and the representatives of the public would be called for a meeting soon to find remedy for the problem. The Public Health Centre is expected to serve 40,000 persons in and around the Kathivakkam area.Executive Chairman of Murugappa Group A Velayyan said that the Public Health Centre would offer consultations at a cost of `10 per week. Medicines and laboratory facilities would be provided at a cost that is 50 per cent lesser than the market price. He said that the group allocates one per cent of its profits for public welfare and decisions on furthering this mission would be taken.
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