The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is planning to start works to restore roads, that were cut by other service departments, across four zones at an estimated cost of ₹4.33 crore despite recent issues due to increase in bitumen rates.

Speaking to The Hindu, an official said the price of bitumen had increased by nearly 60% over the past six months owing to the global situation. However, the State government had directed civic bodies to proceed with works using the revised rates, so that the road restoration works could be completed before the Northeast monsoon.

The official said that no project had been stalled because of the increase in bitumen prices, though some works had been delayed due to ongoing utility road cuts. Restoration works in areas such as Sholinganallur and Madipakkam, where multiple utility projects are under way, are expected to be completed by September, the official added.

Inter-departmental coordination meetings chaired by the Corporation are also being held every Tuesday to expedite utility works and road restoration.

The largest allocation, ₹1.85 crore, has been earmarked for Sholinganallur Zone to restore five stretches of Nookampalayam Link Road. Another ₹1.62 crore has been allotted to restore 18 interior roads, including Ellaiamman Koil 1st Main Road, Saraswathi Nagar South 2nd Main Road, Arignar Anna Nagar 5th Cross Street and lanes in CLRI Nagar and Sri Kapaleeswarar Nagar, following works by Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board.

In Ambattur Zone, ₹33 lakh has been allocated to restore roads cut by the Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation Limited (Tantransco) in the SIDCO Industrial Estate. In Kodambakkam Zone, ₹25.43 lakh will be spent on restoring stretches of P.T. Rajan Salai and P.V. Rajamannar Salai, and laying a 200-mm dedicated sewer line on Dr. Ramasamy Salai. Works worth ₹26.69 lakh have been planned in Valasaravakkam Zone, including road restoration, speed breakers and park utility connections, according to GCC.