Reporter’s diary: Will TN give a new lease of life to ‘HC-revived’ link road?

Interestingly, the last hearing, held at the Bench’s directive “to revive the existing link road from Loop Road to Besant Nagar” took everyone by surprise and turned out to be an eye-opener for most of the reporters present there, as they were unaware of the existence of such a road. Clarity set in only when the order of the Bench was out, wherein it held: “It seems the existing connecting road from Loop Road to Besant Nagar, said to have been destroyed in the floods of 1970s or so, still exists in a damaged condition and therefore, the Greater Chennai Corporation and State authorities may explore the possibilities of again constructing a proper wide road, connecting the said Loop Road to Besant Nagar area.” The Bench further said, “this will not only reduce the congestion on the Beach Road via DGS Dinakaran Road to Adyar area including Thiru. Vi Ka Bridge up to the airport, but will also provide an alternative road for traffic.” However, many are keeping their fingers crossed on the kind of feasibility report the government will submit. While such a road stretch with a sea view would be welcome, whether the State would bother to revive it is the million-dollar question.