Chennai, July 28 (IANS) The construction of the Chennai Port-Maduravoyal Elevated Corridor, one of Tamil Nadu’s largest road infrastructure projects, is progressing steadily, with nearly 22 per cent of the work completed. The Rs 5,600-crore project is expected to significantly improve cargo movement between Chennai Port and the western suburbs while easing traffic congestion on key city roads.
The 15.5-km elevated corridor is being constructed above the Cooum River, making it one of the most challenging urban highway projects in the country.
Officials said work along the riverbanks will be suspended during the northeast monsoon season from September to January, as construction activities cannot be safely carried out during heavy rain. The elevated expressway is scheduled to be completed by March 2029. Once operational, it will provide a direct high-speed link between Chennai Port and Maduravoyal, reducing travel time for container trucks and improving efficiency of freight transportation.
The project is also expected to ease congestion on several arterial roads by diverting heavy commercial vehicles to the elevated corridor.
Meanwhile, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for another major infrastructure project — an elevated road from Kalambakkam near Chengalpattu to Mahindra City.
The proposed project, estimated to cost Rs 3,186 crore, is aimed at improving connectivity along Chennai’s rapidly developing southern corridor.
Studies are also underway to integrate the proposed elevated road with the Chennai Metro Rail expansion project, creating better multimodal transport connectivity for commuters.
The NHAI is also planning to widen the Chengalpattu-Tindivanam National Highway into a six-lane road during the current financial year. The highway upgrade, estimated to cost Rs 398 crore, is expected to improve traffic flow and accommodate increasing passenger and commercial vehicle movement on the busy stretch.
In another initiative, work to make the Tindivanam-Puducherry National Highway safer will commence shortly. The Rs 147-crore project will cover seven identified locations, where accident-prone stretches will be improved through engineering measures and enhanced road infrastructure.
Officials also clarified that toll plazas on national highways are generally established at intervals of about 60 kilometres. However, in some stretches, fewer toll plazas are provided within that distance to reduce the financial burden on motorists while ensuring efficient operation and maintenance of the national highway network.
–IANS
aal/dpb