Chennai is poised for a major upgrade to its coastal transport infrastructure as KNR Constructions Limited secures a ₹2,163-crore contract to build a four-lane elevated corridor along the East Coast Road (ECR). Spanning the Thiruvanmiyur to Uthandi stretch of State Highway-49, this section of ECR is among the city’s most congested routes, frequently hampering daily commutes for residents and commercial traffic alike.
The project has been awarded under the Hybrid Annuity Model, a framework increasingly favoured for large-scale urban road projects. Under this structure, financial and operational risks are distributed between the public authority and the contractor. KNR Constructions is tasked with executing the corridor over a 1,095-day construction period, after which it will operate and maintain the facility for a five-year window. Officials note that this arrangement encourages long-term operational responsibility and ensures service continuity once construction is completed.
Urban planners highlight that elevated corridors offer strategic relief in high-density coastal zones by segregating through-traffic from local vehicles, thereby reducing bottlenecks and improving travel predictability. “In corridors like ECR, where residential and commercial development continues to rise, grade-separated roads can significantly cut commute times and reduce congestion-related emissions,” said a senior city transport official. By keeping fast-moving traffic above ground, the project could also improve pedestrian safety and enhance the efficiency of local feeder roads. Economically, the corridor represents an important investment in Chennai’s southern urban belt, where growth in IT, retail, and residential sectors has intensified demand for reliable transport links. Construction experts suggest that projects under the Hybrid Annuity Model often attract private sector efficiency while maintaining government oversight, making them an attractive model for climate-resilient infrastructure.
Environmental considerations remain a key focus, given the project’s proximity to the coastline. Analysts emphasise that design interventions such as stormwater management, use of low-carbon concrete, and landscaping buffers could mitigate ecological impacts while maintaining road performance. Moreover, urban mobility researchers argue that integrating such corridors with public transport nodes and non-motorised transport pathways is essential to support inclusive, people-first growth. The project is pending the resolution of a legal writ appeal in the Madras High Court, delaying the formal concession agreement. Once cleared, the elevated ECR corridor will be among Chennai’s largest urban road enhancements in recent years, potentially setting benchmarks for future sustainable infrastructure projects in high-density coastal cities.
