As the work on restoration of Anna Arch kicked off on Wednesday, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa paid a visit to the site for an on-the-spot assessment.
Speaking to reporters at the site, Jayalalithaa said that the work will be completed in 120 days. The CM met with officials at the site around 12.50 pm and discussed the methods that could be adopted to reinforce strength of the monument and restore it to its original glory. Principal secretary to the Government for Highways and Minor Ports Department, Niranjan Mardi, explained the project in detail. Several ministers, along with Highways Department officials, were also present.
Meanwhile, on the first day of restoration work, work material started coming in.
Official sources said that the crane, which is currently supporting the arch, will be removed soon. “A temporary pillar will be put in place to support the arch until the work is complete and the arch is declared structurally sound,” he said.
The twin arches were to be removed on September 3 to make way for a flyover a the EVR High Road-Anna Nagar Third Avenue junction, but the officials could not take the structure apart. Meanwhile, on learning about the attempts to remove the structure, on September 5, the CM announced that it would not be removed but the alignment of the flyover would be shifted slightly towards the eastern side so as not to disturb the arches. “The Anna Arch constructed to mark the platinum jubilee of ex-Chief Minister CN Annadurai and unveiled by former CM MG Ramachandran on January 1, 1986, remains strong and sturdy just as the glory of MGR remains in the hearts of the people. I have directed the authorities to continue the work on the fly-over without disturbing the Arch,” the CM had said.
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