Chennai Kilambakkam to Mahindra City Gets 18.4 km Elevated Corridor
After years of planning, Chennai’s Grand Southern Trunk (GST) Road is finally set to undergo a major transformation. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has officially announced the development of an 18.4 km elevated corridor between Kilambakkam and Mahindra City. This project aims to address the long-standing issue of congestion on one of the busiest roads in Tamil Nadu, connecting Chennai to Tiruchirapalli and beyond. The elevated corridor, which is expected to reduce traffic jams, will also improve safety and decrease accidents in the region’s infamous blackspots.
This new corridor will run parallel to the existing six-lane National Highway and will include entry/exit ramps at three critical locations: Iyyancherry junction, Kattankulathur, and the Chennai Peripheral Ring Road (CPRR) crossing. These ramps are strategically planned to facilitate smoother traffic flow and ease congestion. The corridor will provide a high-level separation for long-distance and local traffic, which has long been a challenge on this road, as local and through traffic currently share the same lanes. This solution aims to significantly improve vehicular movement, particularly during peak hours and festivals when the road is often heavily congested.
However, the original plan for an elevated corridor extending from Tambaram to Vandalur had to be revised due to several infrastructural challenges. Key structures, such as the Vandalur flyover and multiple road overbridges, were found to obstruct the proposed path, making demolition and reconstruction unfeasible. As a result, the revised proposal avoids these areas, while still achieving the project’s objectives. This updated plan will not involve land acquisition, thus minimising disruption to residents and local businesses along the stretch. The total cost of the project is estimated at ₹3,500 crore, with the detailed project report now ready for implementation.
A Long-Term Solution for Congestion and Safety
The elevated corridor is not just a solution to traffic congestion; it also addresses critical safety concerns. The stretch of GST Road currently suffers from dangerous traffic conditions, particularly during festival periods like Pongal and Deepavali when traffic volumes increase significantly. In such instances, long queues of vehicles can stretch for kilometres, making it difficult for pedestrians and two-wheelers to navigate the road. Local residents like Vatsan, who frequently use the road, have become accustomed to this yearly inconvenience but acknowledge the severity of the problem. The elevated corridor will ensure that local traffic stays at grade level, providing safer pedestrian crossings and reducing the overall risk of accidents.
The implementation of this corridor is not only a traffic management solution but also part of a larger effort towards sustainable urban development. By separating local traffic from long-distance vehicles, the project will reduce overall emissions from idling vehicles, thus improving air quality. Additionally, the new infrastructure is designed to handle traffic more efficiently, reducing fuel consumption and the carbon footprint. This aligns with the city’s broader sustainability goals of reducing pollution and promoting eco-friendly transport options. Moreover, the elevated structure will preserve valuable land resources along the road, as no land acquisition will be required, thus making it a more sustainable option in comparison to previous alternatives.
