Baalu seeks Pranab's intervention on defence lands

Chennai, June 21: Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T R Baalu met Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and conveyed Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's concern for the expeditious transfer of defence land required for important infrastructure projects in Chennai.

Mr Karunanidhi in his letter to Defence Minister had highlighted the urgent need for transfer of 25 acres of defence lands at Tambaram for the construction of a new bus stand.

During his meeting with Mr Pranab Mukherjee yesterday, Mr Baalu said early transfer of land would help develop Tambaram into a major commercial hub of Chennai, an official release here today said.

He said the prestigious project would not only ease the traffic congestion, but also provide a vital connectivity to the state capital with the southern parts of Tamil Nadu.

Mr Baalu also drew Mr Mukherjee's attention on the long-pending demand for abolition of the 900 m restriction on construction of houses in the vicinity of Air Force Station, Tambaram, regularisation of the existing structures constructed within the restricted zone and arrangements for issue of NOCs in this regard in Chennai itself.

He also took up with the Defence Minister the issue of transfer of 4.23 acre of defence land at St Thomas Mount-cum-Pallavaram Cantonment to the state highways department on exchange basis for the road under bridge projects.

Mr Mukherjee assured that all the pending issues, would be resolved on priority basis and an amicable solution will be found at the earliest.

UNI